AngioDynamics’ AngioVac Treatment Included Under New AMA Category III CPT Code for Transcatheter Removal/Debulking of Intracardiac Masses

August 24, 2021—AngioDynamics, Inc. advised that new Category III CPT code approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) CPT Panel gives physicians an updated billing code for use of the company’s AngioVac system for removal of undesirable intravascular material in the right heart.

According to the company, CPT code 0644T is for transcatheter removal or debulking of intracardiac mass (eg, vegetations, thrombus) via suction (eg, vacuum, aspiration) device, percutaneous approach, with intraoperative reinfusion of aspirated blood, including imaging guidance, when performed with procedures utilizing catheter-assisted technology such as the AngioVac. The new code became effective in July 2021.

In its announcement, AngioDynamics credited and applauded the work of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) to champion the creation of the code

“The STS requested this Category III code, 0644T, specifically to capture the physician work and frequency for innovative and important therapies like the AngioVac system,” commented Seenu Reddy, MD, in the AngioDynamics press release.

Dr. Reddy, who is a cardiovascular surgeon and the Director of Cardiovascular Surgery for Centennial Heart and Vascular Center in Nashville, Tennessee, continued, “I have treated over 150 patients with the AngioVac system and can attest to the clinical value of having the ability to safely remove intracardiac masses and vegetation with high procedural success and minimal blood loss or complications. With a code now available, I encourage anyone using this therapy in the cardiac space to bill using 0644T so we can eventually have a Category I code.”

The AngioVac system utilizes an extracorporeal circuit and funnel-tipped, self-expanding, cannula for the removal of commonly encountered undesirable intravascular material, such as fresh, soft thrombi, emboli or vegetation in locations including but not limited to the right atrium, superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, and the iliofemoral veins, noted AngioDynamics.