CPT® Code 92928

Percutaneous transcatheter placement of intracoronary stent(s), with coronary angioplasty when performed; single major coronary artery or branch

The procedure described by CPT® Code 92928 involves the percutaneous transcatheter placement of intracoronary stent(s) in conjunction with coronary angioplasty, specifically targeting a single major coronary artery or its branch. This intervention is crucial for patients experiencing significant narrowing or blockage in their coronary arteries, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle and potentially result in angina or myocardial infarction. A stent, which is a small, wire mesh tube, is utilized to support the artery walls and maintain patency in areas that have become stenosed or occluded. The procedure begins with the preparation of the skin over the access artery, typically one of the femoral arteries, followed by puncturing the artery with a needle and placing a sheath to facilitate access. A guidewire is then navigated through the aorta and into the affected coronary artery. Following this, a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is performed, where a catheter with a balloon tip is advanced to the site of the blockage. The balloon is inflated to compress the plaque against the artery wall, which may require multiple inflations to achieve optimal results. Subsequently, a compressed stent is delivered via a balloon tip catheter, and once positioned correctly, the balloon is inflated again to expand the stent, effectively creating a scaffold that keeps the artery open. To confirm the success of the procedure, contrast dye is injected, and a completion angiography is conducted to ensure that the treated artery remains patent. For coding purposes, CPT® Code 92928 is used for stent placement in a single major coronary artery or branch, while CPT® Code 92929 is designated for each additional branch of a major coronary artery that is stented.