CPT® Code 37211

Transcatheter therapy, arterial infusion for thrombolysis other than coronary or intracranial, any method, including radiological supervision and interpretation, initial treatment day

Transcatheter therapy for thrombolysis involves the infusion of medication directly into a blood vessel to dissolve blood clots. This specific procedure, identified by CPT® Code 37211, is performed on vessels that are neither coronary nor intracranial. The process begins with the puncture of the skin over the access artery, typically the common femoral artery, although alternative sites such as the axillary and distal brachial arteries may also be utilized. The goal of this therapy is to effectively break down clots that obstruct blood flow, thereby restoring normal circulation. The procedure employs radiological imaging techniques to guide the placement of a catheter into the affected vessel. A guidewire is inserted through the puncture site and navigated to the location of the clot, allowing for precise catheter placement. Once the catheter is positioned at the site of thrombosis, a thrombolytic agent is infused over a period of time, which may extend across multiple days, to facilitate the dissolution of the clot. This procedure is comprehensive, as it includes not only the infusion of the thrombolytic agent but also the necessary radiological supervision and interpretation to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment and to make any required adjustments to the catheter placement during the procedure.