Blood vessel replaced by other means

This code indicates that a patient has a blood vessel that has been surgically replaced or augmented using a method other than a prosthetic device. This could involve a biological graft, such as an autologous vein or artery, or an allograft. It signifies a past surgical intervention to restore blood flow or vessel integrity.

Use this code when documentation specifies a history of a blood vessel replacement using a saphenous vein graft, an internal mammary artery graft, or another non-prosthetic biological conduit. This is commonly seen in patients post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or peripheral bypass procedures where native vessels were utilized. It is a status code, indicating the presence of the replaced vessel.

• Do not use this code for prosthetic grafts; refer to codes for artificial replacements.
• This code describes the presence of the replaced vessel, not the procedure itself or any complications.
• Always review operative reports and patient history to confirm the type of graft used.