CPT® Code 37200

The CPT® Code 37200 refers to a transcatheter biopsy, a minimally invasive procedure used to obtain tissue samples from within a blood vessel. This procedure is typically performed when there is a need to diagnose conditions affecting the vascular system. The process begins with the selection and exposure of the access vessel, which is the blood vessel through which the biopsy will be performed. A small incision, or nick, is made in the vessel to facilitate the insertion of an introducer sheath, a tube that allows for the passage of instruments into the vessel. Following this, a guidewire is carefully advanced to the specific site of the biopsy, guided by imaging techniques that provide radiological supervision and interpretation. Once the guidewire is in place, a biopsy catheter is threaded over it, allowing for the withdrawal of the guidewire. The catheter is then used to obtain a tissue sample from the lumen of the blood vessel, which is crucial for further analysis. After the tissue sample is collected, the biopsy catheter is removed, and the sample is sent to a laboratory for histological analysis, which is a separate reportable service. Finally, the blood vessel is repaired to ensure proper healing and restore normal function.