CPT® Code 75968

Deleted

Transluminal balloon angioplasty, each additional visceral artery, radiological supervision and interpretation (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

Transluminal balloon angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at treating stenosis, or narrowing, of visceral arteries, which can lead to significant health issues. This specific CPT® code, 75968, refers to the additional radiological supervision and interpretation required when performing angioplasty on each additional visceral artery beyond the primary procedure. Stenosis in the renal artery can result in renal vascular hypertension and renal ischemia, while narrowing in other visceral arteries that supply blood to vital organs such as the liver, spleen, and intestines may lead to symptoms collectively known as "abdominal angina." This condition is characterized by chronic postprandial pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can severely impact a patient's quality of life. The procedure involves accessing the femoral artery in the groin, inserting an arterial sheath, and using fluoroscopic guidance to navigate a guidewire to the affected artery. Following this, a catheter is advanced, and contrast medium is injected to visualize the stenosis. The balloon catheter is then positioned at the site of narrowing and inflated to dilate the artery, restoring proper blood flow. The use of code 75968 is essential for billing purposes, as it accounts for the additional supervision and interpretation required for each additional visceral artery treated during the angioplasty procedure.