CPT® Code 36140

The procedure described by CPT® Code 36140 involves the introduction of a needle or an intracatheter into an artery located in either the upper or lower extremities. This process is essential for various medical interventions, including diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The target arteries for this procedure often include the brachial artery in the arm or the radial artery, which is commonly accessed for various vascular procedures. To successfully perform this procedure, the healthcare provider typically begins by locating the artery through palpation, which involves feeling the pulse of the artery with their fingers. Once located, the artery is stabilized using the index and middle fingers to ensure accurate placement of the needle or intracatheter. The access site is then visualized to enhance precision during the insertion. The needle or intracatheter is carefully introduced through the skin and advanced toward the artery until the tip makes contact with the arterial wall, at which point the artery is punctured. Depending on the clinical requirements, the needle may remain in place within the artery, or an intracatheter may be further advanced into the arterial lumen. This access allows for subsequent injections, which may include medications or radiopaque contrast agents, facilitating further diagnostic imaging or treatment as necessary.