CPT® Code 37251

Deleted

Intravascular ultrasound (non-coronary vessel) during diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention; each additional vessel (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a specialized imaging technique used to visualize the interior of blood vessels, specifically non-coronary vessels, during diagnostic evaluations and therapeutic interventions. This procedure provides a detailed cross-sectional view of the vessel, allowing healthcare professionals to assess the structure and condition of the vessel walls and surrounding tissues. The IVUS technique reveals the various layers of the blood vessel, including the outer covering known as the adventitia, the middle layer referred to as the media, the inner endothelial layer called the intima, and the lumen, which is the open channel through which blood flows. During the procedure, a catheter equipped with a miniaturized ultrasound transducer is carefully advanced over a guidewire to the targeted area for evaluation. Once positioned, the transducer emits ultrasound waves that create images of the vessel's interior. These images are then analyzed by the physician, who compiles a comprehensive written report detailing the findings from the IVUS examination. It is important to note that CPT® Code 37250 is utilized for the initial vessel evaluated with IVUS, while CPT® Code 37251 is designated for each additional vessel assessed during the same procedure.