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Official Description

Left heart catheterization by transseptal puncture through intact septum or by transapical puncture (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

© Copyright 2026 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Common Language Description

The CPT® Code 93462 refers to a specific type of left heart catheterization that is performed through a transseptal or transapical puncture. This procedure is utilized when a catheter is introduced into the left side of the heart, which is essential for various diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. In the case of a transseptal puncture, the catheter is first navigated into the right atrium, where the intra-atrial septum is punctured to allow access to the left atrium. This access enables the physician to inspect the left atrium and mitral valve, as well as to measure pressures within these chambers. Alternatively, if the catheter is advanced further into the left ventricle, the left ventricle and aortic valve can be evaluated, along with pressure measurements in these areas. On the other hand, the transapical puncture approach involves a percutaneous entry into the left ventricle through a stab incision made in the left chest. This method allows for direct access to the left ventricle, facilitating the evaluation of left heart structures. It is important to note that the code 93462 is reported separately in addition to the primary left heart catheterization procedure, highlighting its role in providing a comprehensive assessment of the left heart anatomy and function during catheterization procedures.

© Copyright 2026 Coding Ahead. All rights reserved.

1. Indications

The left heart catheterization by transseptal or transapical puncture is indicated for various clinical scenarios where direct access to the left heart structures is necessary. The following conditions may warrant the performance of this procedure:

  • Assessment of Left Heart Function This procedure is often performed to evaluate the function of the left atrium and left ventricle, particularly in patients with suspected heart disease.
  • Mitral Valve Evaluation It is indicated for the assessment of mitral valve pathology, allowing for direct visualization and pressure measurements.
  • Aortic Valve Assessment The procedure may be necessary for evaluating the aortic valve and left ventricular outflow tract.
  • Measurement of Hemodynamic Pressures It is utilized to obtain hemodynamic measurements within the left heart chambers, which can aid in diagnosing various cardiac conditions.

2. Procedure

The procedure for left heart catheterization by transseptal or transapical puncture involves several critical steps to ensure successful access to the left heart. Each step is essential for the accurate performance of the procedure:

  • Step 1: Catheter Advancement to the Right Heart Initially, the catheter is advanced into the right side of the heart, typically through the femoral vein or another access point. This step is crucial as it sets the stage for the subsequent puncture of the septum.
  • Step 2: Transseptal Puncture Once the catheter is positioned in the right atrium, the intra-atrial septum is punctured using a specialized needle. This puncture allows the catheter to be advanced into the left atrium, where it can either remain or be further advanced into the left ventricle.
  • Step 3: Evaluation of Left Heart Structures If the catheter is positioned in the left atrium, the physician inspects the left atrium and mitral valve, obtaining necessary pressure measurements. If the catheter is advanced into the left ventricle, the left ventricle and aortic valve are similarly evaluated, with pressure readings taken to assess cardiac function.
  • Step 4: Transapical Puncture (if applicable) In cases where a transapical approach is indicated, a stab incision is made in the left chest to access the left ventricle directly. The catheter is then advanced through this incision into the left ventricle, allowing for the evaluation of left heart structures.

3. Post-Procedure

After the left heart catheterization by transseptal or transapical puncture, patients typically require monitoring for any potential complications, such as bleeding or arrhythmias. The recovery process may involve observation in a healthcare setting to ensure stability. Patients may also need follow-up assessments to evaluate the outcomes of the procedure and any further interventions that may be necessary based on the findings. Documentation of the procedure and any findings is essential for accurate coding and billing, as well as for continuity of care.

Short Descr L HRT CATH TRNSPTL PUNCTURE
Medium Descr LEFT HEART CATH BY TRANSEPTAL PUNCTURE
Long Descr Left heart catheterization by transseptal puncture through intact septum or by transapical puncture (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
Status Code Active Code
Global Days ZZZ - Code Related to Another Service
PC/TC Indicator (26, TC) 0 - Physician Service Code
Multiple Procedures (51) 0 - No payment adjustment rules for multiple procedures apply.
Bilateral Surgery (50) 0 - 150% payment adjustment for bilateral procedures does NOT apply.
Physician Supervisions 09 - Concept does not apply.
Assistant Surgeon (80, 82) 0 - Payment restriction for assistants at surgery applies to this procedure...
Co-Surgeons (62) 0 - Co-surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Team Surgery (66) 0 - Team surgeons not permitted for this procedure.
Diagnostic Imaging Family 99 - Concept Does Not Apply
APC Status Indicator Items and Services Packaged into APC Rates
ASC Payment Indicator Packaged service/item; no separate payment made.
Type of Service (TOS) 2 - Surgery
Berenson-Eggers TOS (BETOS) P2F - Major procedure, cardiovascular-Other
MUE 1
CCS Clinical Classification 47 - Diagnostic cardiac catheterization, coronary arteriography

This is an add-on code that must be used in conjunction with one of these primary codes.

33477 MPFS Status: Active Code APC C Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation, percutaneous approach, including pre-stenting of the valve delivery site, when performed
93452 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, imaging supervision and interpretation, when performed
93453 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Combined right and left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, imaging supervision and interpretation, when performed
93458 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed
93459 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) with bypass graft angiography
93460 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with right and left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed
93461 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 ASC G2 Catheter placement in coronary artery(s) for coronary angiography, including intraprocedural injection(s) for coronary angiography, imaging supervision and interpretation; with right and left heart catheterization including intraprocedural injection(s) for left ventriculography, when performed, catheter placement(s) in bypass graft(s) (internal mammary, free arterial, venous grafts) with bypass graft angiography
93582 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 Percutaneous transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus
93590 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 Percutaneous transcatheter closure of paravalvular leak; initial occlusion device, mitral valve
93591 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 Percutaneous transcatheter closure of paravalvular leak; initial occlusion device, aortic valve
93595 MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC J1 Left heart catheterization for congenital heart defect(s) including imaging guidance by the proceduralist to advance the catheter to the target zone, normal or abnormal native connections
93596 MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC J1 Right and left heart catheterization for congenital heart defect(s) including imaging guidance by the proceduralist to advance the catheter to the target zone(s); normal native connections
93597 MPFS Status: Carrier Priced APC J1 Right and left heart catheterization for congenital heart defect(s) including imaging guidance by the proceduralist to advance the catheter to the target zone(s); abnormal native connections
93653 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 Comprehensive electrophysiologic evaluation with insertion and repositioning of multiple electrode catheters, induction or attempted induction of an arrhythmia with right atrial pacing and recording and catheter ablation of arrhythmogenic focus, including intracardiac electrophysiologic 3-dimensional mapping, right ventricular pacing and recording, left atrial pacing and recording from coronary sinus or left atrium, and His bundle recording, when performed; with treatment of supraventricular tachycardia by ablation of fast or slow atrioventricular pathway, accessory atrioventricular connection, cavo-tricuspid isthmus or other single atrial focus or source of atrial re-entry
93654 MPFS Status: Active Code APC J1 Comprehensive electrophysiologic evaluation with insertion and repositioning of multiple electrode catheters, induction or attempted induction of an arrhythmia with right atrial pacing and recording and catheter ablation of arrhythmogenic focus, including intracardiac electrophysiologic 3-dimensional mapping, right ventricular pacing and recording, left atrial pacing and recording from coronary sinus or left atrium, and His bundle recording, when performed; with treatment of ventricular tachycardia or focus of ventricular ectopy including left ventricular pacing and recording, when performed
GC This service has been performed in part by a resident under the direction of a teaching physician
59 Distinct procedural service: under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was distinct or independent from other non-e/m services performed on the same day. modifier 59 is used to identify procedures/services, other than e/m services, that are not normally reported together, but are appropriate under the circumstances. documentation must support a different session, different procedure or surgery, different site or organ system, separate incision/excision, separate lesion, or separate injury (or area of injury in extensive injuries) not ordinarily encountered or performed on the same day by the same individual. however, when another already established modifier is appropriate it should be used rather than modifier 59. only if no more descriptive modifier is available, and the use of modifier 59 best explains the circumstances, should modifier 59 be used. note: modifier 59 should not be appended to an e/m service. to report a separate and distinct e/m service with a non-e/m service performed on the same date, see modifier 25.
XU Unusual non-overlapping service, the use of a service that is distinct because it does not overlap usual components of the main service
Q1 Routine clinical service provided in a clinical research study that is in an approved clinical research study
22 Increased procedural services: when the work required to provide a service is substantially greater than typically required, it may be identified by adding modifier 22 to the usual procedure code. documentation must support the substantial additional work and the reason for the additional work (ie, increased intensity, time, technical difficulty of procedure, severity of patient's condition, physical and mental effort required). note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
51 Multiple procedures: when multiple procedures, other than e/m services, physical medicine and rehabilitation services or provision of supplies (eg, vaccines), are performed at the same session by the same individual, the primary procedure or service may be reported as listed. the additional procedure(s) or service(s) may be identified by appending modifier 51 to the additional procedure or service code(s). note: this modifier should not be appended to designated "add-on" codes (see appendix d).
52 Reduced services: under certain circumstances a service or procedure is partially reduced or eliminated at the discretion of the physician or other qualified health care professional. under these circumstances the service provided can be identified by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 52, signifying that the service is reduced. this provides a means of reporting reduced services without disturbing the identification of the basic service. note: for hospital outpatient reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well-being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
53 Discontinued procedure: under certain circumstances, the physician or other qualified health care professional may elect to terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure. due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, it may be necessary to indicate that a surgical or diagnostic procedure was started but discontinued. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 53 to the code reported by the individual for the discontinued procedure. note: this modifier is not used to report the elective cancellation of a procedure prior to the patient's anesthesia induction and/or surgical preparation in the operating suite. for outpatient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) reporting of a previously scheduled procedure/service that is partially reduced or cancelled as a result of extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient prior to or after administration of anesthesia, see modifiers 73 and 74 (see modifiers approved for asc hospital outpatient use).
58 Staged or related procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was: (a) planned or anticipated (staged); (b) more extensive than the original procedure; or (c) for therapy following a surgical procedure. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 58 to the staged or related procedure. note: for treatment of a problem that requires a return to the operating/procedure room (eg, unanticipated clinical condition), see modifier 78.
62 Two surgeons: when 2 surgeons work together as primary surgeons performing distinct part(s) of a procedure, each surgeon should report his/her distinct operative work by adding modifier 62 to the procedure code and any associated add-on code(s) for that procedure as long as both surgeons continue to work together as primary surgeons. each surgeon should report the co-surgery once using the same procedure code. if additional procedure(s) (including add-on procedure(s) are performed during the same surgical session, separate code(s) may also be reported with modifier 62 added. note: if a co-surgeon acts as an assistant in the performance of additional procedure(s), other than those reported with the modifier 62, during the same surgical session, those services may be reported using separate procedure code(s) with modifier 80 or modifier 82 added, as appropriate.
74 Discontinued out-patient hospital/ambulatory surgery center (asc) procedure after administration of anesthesia: due to extenuating circumstances or those that threaten the well being of the patient, the physician may terminate a surgical or diagnostic procedure after the administration of anesthesia (local, regional block(s), general) or after the procedure was started (incision made, intubation started, scope inserted, etc). under these circumstances, the procedure started but terminated can be reported by its usual procedure number and the addition of modifier 74. note: the elective cancellation of a service prior to the administration of anesthesia and/or surgical preparation of the patient should not be reported. for physician reporting of a discontinued procedure, see modifier 53.
76 Repeat procedure or service by same physician or other qualified health care professional: it may be necessary to indicate that a procedure or service was repeated by the same physician or other qualified health care professional subsequent to the original procedure or service. this circumstance may be reported by adding modifier 76 to the repeated procedure or service. note: this modifier should not be appended to an e/m service.
78 Unplanned return to the operating/procedure room by the same physician or other qualified health care professional following initial procedure for a related procedure during the postoperative period: it may be necessary to indicate that another procedure was performed during the postoperative period of the initial procedure (unplanned procedure following initial procedure). when this procedure is related to the first, and requires the use of an operating/procedure room, it may be reported by adding modifier 78 to the related procedure. (for repeat procedures, see modifier 76.)
79 Unrelated procedure or service by the same physician or other qualified health care professional during the postoperative period: the individual may need to indicate that the performance of a procedure or service during the postoperative period was unrelated to the original procedure. this circumstance may be reported by using modifier 79. (for repeat procedures on the same day, see modifier 76.)
80 Assistant surgeon: surgical assistant services may be identified by adding modifier 80 to the usual procedure number(s).
82 Assistant surgeon (when qualified resident surgeon not available): the unavailability of a qualified resident surgeon is a prerequisite for use of modifier 82 appended to the usual procedure code number(s).
AQ Physician providing a service in an unlisted health professional shortage area (hpsa)
CR Catastrophe/disaster related
XP Separate practitioner, a service that is distinct because it was performed by a different practitioner
XS Separate structure, a service that is distinct because it was performed on a separate organ/structure
Date
Action
Notes
2022-01-01 Changed First appearance of guideline change in codebook.
2021-06-07 Changed Guideline changed per CPT errata. Codes 33741 and 33745 added to first parenthetical note.
2017-01-01 Changed Moderate (Conscious) Sedation flag removed. See new Moderate Sedation category.
2013-01-01 Changed Guideline information changed.
2011-01-01 Added Added
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