CPT | |
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33266 | Endoscopy, surgical; operative tissue ablation and reconstruction of atria, limited (eg, maze procedure), without cardiopulmonary bypass |
ICD-10 Procedure | |
For the following codes when specified as the maze procedure: | |
02560ZZ-02564ZZ | Destruction of right atrium [by approach; includes codes 02560ZZ, 02563ZZ, 02564ZZ] |
What does maze procedure stand for? Maze procedure isn't short for anything. It refers to the maze-like pattern of scar tissue you get on your heart during a cardiac maze procedure.
Maze is a surgical procedure used to treat an irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation). A surgeon creates a pattern (maze) of scar tissue in the upper chambers of the heart (atria) using a scalpel or a device that delivers heat or cold energy. Scar tissue doesn't conduct electricity.
Catheter/Cardiac Ablation. One of the easiest ways to understand the difference between the two procedures is that catheter/cardiac ablation destroys the tissue that causes the arrhythmia. Maze surgery, on the other hand, redirects the inconsistent electrical impulses (via scar tissue) to correct the arrhythmia.
33999Submit claims for all other LAA devices (e.g., Amplatzer cardiac plug, Amulet, AtriClip device, Lariat Snare device; this is not an all-inclusive list) using CPT code 33999. A concise description of the service is required, although the service will not be covered.
The Wolf Mini-Maze procedure is a ground-breaking medical procedure invented by Dr. Randall Wolf to treat Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). It can be a life-changing procedure, allowing you to live AFib free without blood thinners. It also reduces your Afib stroke risk by an astounding 97%.
Based on input from many surgeons, most afib patients who undergo minimally invasive surgical ablation procedures meet the following criteria: Have a confirmed diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.
Summary: A randomized trial showed that minimally invasive (mini maze) surgical ablation was more effective, but with more complications, than catheter ablation at treating atrial fibrillation patients who had failed a previous catheter ablation or had an enlarged left atrium.
Hybrid Maze Procedure This procedure reverses AFib by putting your heart back into rhythm, all without a sternotomy. It also offers a much quicker recovery. With Hybrid Maze minimally-invasive surgery is combined with catheter based techniques to offer patients better outcomes and improved recovery time.
The maze procedure is successful in treating AFib in 60%–70% of patients, who can often stop taking blood thinners several months after the procedure.
CPT33259Operative tissue ablation and reconstruction of atria, performed at the time of other cardiac procedure(s), extensive (eg, maze procedure), with cardiopulmonary bypass16 more rows
CPT® 33257, Under Incisional Electrophysiologic Procedures on the Heart and Pericardium. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code 33257 as maintained by American Medical Association, is a medical procedural code under the range - Incisional Electrophysiologic Procedures on the Heart and Pericardium.
CPT Code + Modifier Description 33340-62 Left atrial appendage closure can be billed by two surgeons by appending the -62 modifier to 33340 (eg. 33340-62). *Commercial payment will vary and will be at discretion of the payer.
The maze procedure is successful in treating AFib in 60%–70% of patients, who can often stop taking blood thinners several months after the procedure.
Ablation has serious risks, although they are rare. They include stroke and death. If ablation doesn't work the first time, you may need to have it done again.
After a single ablation procedure, arrhythmia-free survival rates were 40%, 37%, and 29% at one, two, and five years.
Long-term survival is similar for patients with atrial fibrillation, whether they receive ablation or drug therapy. Control of the ventricular rate by ablation of the atrioventricular node and permanent pacing does not adversely affect long-term survival.
The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM Z98.89 became effective on October 1, 2021.
Z77-Z99 Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status
The Maze procedure is a surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in which multiple atrial incisions interrupt the pathogenic reentrant circuits and also direct the sinus impulses to the AV node along a specified route. In addition, multiple blind "alleys" off the main conduction route allow for activation of the entire atrium. By eliminating AF, this technique not only addresses the hemodynamic consequences of AF, it also eliminates the threat of thromboembolism AF can cause.
Aetna considers the Maze procedure experimental and investigational for all other indications because its effectiveness for indications other than the ones listed above has not been established.
Itaya and colleagues (2018) noted that left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare congenital heart anomaly that frequently becomes apparent after middle age. These investigators reported a case of LAAA in a 63-year old woman with stroke. After stabilization of ischemic cerebral stroke, the patient underwent left atrial appendectomy with full Maze procedure and tricuspid annuloplasty under cardiac arrest with cardio-pulmonary bypass. The patient has been living a healthy life without anti-coagulants post-operatively. The authors concluded that resection and the full Maze procedure is a durable and effective procedure for LAAA with chronic AF. These preliminary findings need to be validated by well-designed studies.
Aetna considers the Maze procedure, performed with cardiopulmonary bypass on a beating heart, medically necessary for members with atrial fibrillation/flutter when any of the following criteria is met:
However, the Mini-Maze is still a relatively novel and uncommon operation. As the operation becomes more common, future studies with larger populations will be possible; and
An UpToDate review on "Surgical ablation to prevent recurrent atrial fibrillation" (Lee, 2016) stated that "Minimally invasive approach – While the Maze procedure is usually performed at the time of cardiac surgery using a sternotomy, it has also been performed through a thoracotomy with a minimally invasive approach to mitral valves. However, there are limited data available on the efficacy of using this approach".
The Maze procedure is the “gold standard for surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation” (Calkins, 2012; Khiabani, 2020; Saltman, 2009; Weimar, 2011) and is the most effective curative surgical treatment of AF for individuals who do not respond to medical therapies.
Inclusion or exclusion of a procedure, diagnosis or device code (s) does not constitute or imply member coverage or provider reimbursement policy. Please refer to the member's contract benefits in effect at the time of service to determine coverage or non-coverage of these services as it applies to an individual member.
There are multiple surgical ablation techniques to treat atrial fibrillation. Many of these procedures involve less extensive ablation than the maze procedure. The 2017 expert consensus statement by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS); European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (ECAS), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and the Latin American Society of Cardiac Stimulation and Electrophysiology (SOLAECE) recommends that only procedures which include ablation of the RA and LA isthmus be referred to as maze procedures (Calkins, 2018).
Inclusion or exclusion of a procedure, diagnosis or device code (s) does not constitute or imply member coverage or provider reimbursement policy. Please refer to the member's contract benefits in effect at the time of service to determine coverage or non-coverage of these services as it applies to an individual member.
The Maze procedure is considered medically necessary for drug resistant atrial fibrillation or flutter.
The Maze procedure is the “gold standard for surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation” (Calkins, 2012; Saltman, 2009; Weimar, 2011) and is the most effective curative surgical treatment of AF for individuals who do not respond to medical therapies.
CG-MED-64 Transcatheter Ablation of Arrhythmogenic Foci in the Pulmonary Veins as a Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter (Radiofrequency and Cryoablation)
There are multiple surgical ablation techniques to treat atrial fibrillation. Many of these procedures involve less extensive ablation than the maze procedure. The 2017 expert consensus statement by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS); European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society (ECAS), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), and the Latin American Society of Cardiac Stimulation and Electrophysiology (SOLAECE) recommends that only procedures which include ablation of the RA and LA isthmus be referred to as maze procedures (Calkins, 2018).
Inclusion or exclusion of a procedure, diagnosis or device code (s) does not constitute or imply member coverage or provider reimbursement policy. Please refer to the member's contract benefits in effect at the time of service to determine coverage or non-coverage of these services as it applies to an individual member.
The Maze procedure is considered medically necessary for drug resistant atrial fibrillation or flutter.