This month’s “Spotlight on CPT” highlights recently updated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedural codes in the 2026 CPT code set.
PCI procedures are minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions used to restore blood flow in coronary arteries that have become narrowed or blocked due to coronary artery disease. These procedures may involve angioplasty, stent placement, atherectomy, or combinations of these techniques to reopen the affected vessel and improve myocardial perfusion.
For 2026, several codes in the coronary therapeutic services section were deleted and reorganized to better align with current clinical practice. Codes 92921, 92925, 92929, 92934, 92938, and 92944 were removed as part of this restructuring.
PCI procedures are minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions used to restore blood flow in coronary arteries that have become narrowed or blocked due to coronary artery disease. These procedures may involve angioplasty, stent placement, atherectomy, or combinations of these techniques to reopen the affected vessel and improve myocardial perfusion.
For 2026, several codes in the coronary therapeutic services section were deleted and reorganized to better align with current clinical practice. Codes 92921, 92925, 92929, 92934, 92938, and 92944 were removed as part of this restructuring.
Coronary Angioplasty and Atherectomy
Two foundational codes remain for reporting certain PCI procedures:
92920 – Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty involving a single major coronary artery or branch.
92924 – Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with coronary angioplasty when performed, involving a single major coronary artery or branch.
These codes describe procedures in which plaque is either compressed with a balloon (angioplasty) or physically removed using specialized devices (atherectomy).
92920 – Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty involving a single major coronary artery or branch.
92924 – Percutaneous transluminal coronary atherectomy, with coronary angioplasty when performed, involving a single major coronary artery or branch.
These codes describe procedures in which plaque is either compressed with a balloon (angioplasty) or physically removed using specialized devices (atherectomy).
Coronary Stent Placement
When intracoronary stents are deployed, different codes apply depending on the number and location of treated lesions.
92928 – Placement of intracoronary stent(s), including angioplasty when performed, for one lesion involving one or more coronary segments.
92930 – Placement of stents for two or more distinct coronary lesions, including situations involving bifurcation lesions where treatment is required in both the main artery and a side branch.
92928 – Placement of intracoronary stent(s), including angioplasty when performed, for one lesion involving one or more coronary segments.
92930 – Placement of stents for two or more distinct coronary lesions, including situations involving bifurcation lesions where treatment is required in both the main artery and a side branch.
Combination Procedures
Some procedures require a combination of techniques to achieve optimal revascularization.
92933 – Coronary atherectomy combined with intracoronary stent placement, including angioplasty when performed, for a single coronary artery or branch.
92937 – Percutaneous transluminal revascularization performed through a coronary artery bypass graft, which may involve any combination of stent placement, atherectomy, or angioplasty, including distal protection when used.
92933 – Coronary atherectomy combined with intracoronary stent placement, including angioplasty when performed, for a single coronary artery or branch.
92937 – Percutaneous transluminal revascularization performed through a coronary artery bypass graft, which may involve any combination of stent placement, atherectomy, or angioplasty, including distal protection when used.
Treatment of Acute and Chronic Occlusions
Certain PCI procedures specifically address complete coronary artery blockages.
92941 – Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of acute total or subtotal occlusion during acute myocardial infarction, including techniques such as stenting, angioplasty, atherectomy, or aspiration thrombectomy when performed.
92943 – Revascularization of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) using an antegrade approach.
92945 – Revascularization of a chronic total occlusion using combined antegrade and retrograde approaches.
These codes recognize the increased complexity and specialized techniques often required to treat total coronary occlusions.
92941 – Percutaneous transluminal revascularization of acute total or subtotal occlusion during acute myocardial infarction, including techniques such as stenting, angioplasty, atherectomy, or aspiration thrombectomy when performed.
92943 – Revascularization of a chronic total occlusion (CTO) using an antegrade approach.
92945 – Revascularization of a chronic total occlusion using combined antegrade and retrograde approaches.
These codes recognize the increased complexity and specialized techniques often required to treat total coronary occlusions.
Additional Coronary Intervention Code
The 2026 CPT update also introduces an add-on code for mechanical clot removal:
+92973 – Percutaneous transluminal coronary mechanical aspiration thrombectomy.
This add-on code is used when mechanical thrombectomy is performed in conjunction with another PCI procedure.
+92973 – Percutaneous transluminal coronary mechanical aspiration thrombectomy.
This add-on code is used when mechanical thrombectomy is performed in conjunction with another PCI procedure.
Final Thoughts
The updates to the PCI coding structure reflect the continued evolution of interventional cardiology techniques. By refining the code set and removing outdated codes, CPT 2026 provides clearer guidance for reporting modern coronary revascularization procedures.
Coding professionals should carefully review the notes preceding the coronary therapeutic services codes, as these notes clarify included services and help ensure accurate reporting.
Now, light has been shed on percutaneous coronary intervention procedures in CPT 2026.
Coding professionals should carefully review the notes preceding the coronary therapeutic services codes, as these notes clarify included services and help ensure accurate reporting.
Now, light has been shed on percutaneous coronary intervention procedures in CPT 2026.
About the Author
