What Is Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and How Does It Work?

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat narrowed or blocked arteries, either in the heart (coronary arteries) or peripheral vessels. During PTA, a catheter equipped with an inflatable balloon is guided through the blood vessel to the affected area. When correctly positioned, the balloon is inflated to compress plaque against the arterial walls, widening the vessel and restoring proper blood flow. This procedure is commonly used to treat conditions such as atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease, improving circulation and reducing symptoms like chest pain or leg discomfort.

Commonly used CPT codes for PTA include 92920 for single-vessel coronary angioplasty, while procedures involving stents or atherectomy may use 92928, 92933, or 92934, depending on specifics like vessel and adjunct techniques. For non-coronary (peripheral) PTAs, coders must report three components separately: selective catheter placement, the angioplasty itself, and radiological supervision/interpretation (S&I). Codes such as 35470‑35476 are used depending on the vessel location, along with S&I codes from 75962‑75964 to reflect diagnostic or therapeutic imaging. Accurate coding on the AAPC CPC exam hinges on knowing when PTA is standalone versus bundled with stents or diagnostic angiography—because, for example, stent placement codes like 92928 include angioplasty and shouldn’t be billed separately.

Understanding how PTA works is important for candidates preparing for the AAPC CPC Exam, especially in areas related to CPT coding for cardiovascular procedures. Coders must recognize the correct CPT codes used to report angioplasty, including those that indicate whether a stent was placed, whether imaging guidance was used, or if multiple vessels were treated. It's also essential to know the difference between diagnostic angiography and therapeutic angioplasty, as coding guidelines require accurate reporting of both procedures when performed together. Since Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty is frequently encountered in cardiology-related billing and coding scenarios, a solid grasp of its clinical process and documentation requirements can help future certified professional coders ensure proper reimbursement and compliance in real-world healthcare settings.