CPT® Code 92953

Temporary transcutaneous pacing is a medical procedure utilized to manage and regulate heart rhythm in patients experiencing bradycardia, which is characterized by abnormally slow heart rates. This intervention serves as a temporary solution while the underlying cause of the patient's dysrhythmia is identified and addressed, either through pharmacological treatment or the eventual placement of a permanent pacemaker. The procedure involves the strategic placement of three leads to effectively monitor the heart's electrical activity: one lead is positioned on the right side just below the right clavicle, another on the left side below the left clavicle, and a third lead is placed over the heart on the left side. Additionally, two pacing pads are applied—one on the chest to the left of the sternum and the other on the back to the left of the spine. Once the leads and pads are in place, the pacing device is calibrated to a target heart rate, typically set between 60 to 70 beats per minute, and is activated to initiate pacing. This procedure is crucial for stabilizing patients with significant heart rhythm disturbances until a more permanent solution can be implemented.