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SFA atherectomy CPT code (2026)

Rodeen Rahbar, MD

Atherectomy of the superficial femoral artery falls in the femoral/popliteal family. Atherectomy with angioplasty is 37271 (straightforward) or 37273 (complex); atherectomy with a stent is 37275 or 37277. The older 37225 and 37227 codes are retired — articles and cheat sheets written before 2026 still show them, and they no longer describe this work.

The femoral / popliteal family in 2026

The femoral/popliteal territory is treated as one vessel for coding, covering the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries. Note that atherectomy codes already include the angioplasty or stent performed with them; those are not reported separately.

CodeDescriptor
37263transluminal angioplasty, straightforward
37264transluminal angioplasty, straightforward, each additional vessel
37265transluminal angioplasty, complex
37266transluminal angioplasty, complex, each additional vessel
37267transluminal stent placement, straightforward
37268transluminal stent placement, straightforward, each additional vessel
37269transluminal stent placement, complex
37270transluminal stent placement, complex, each additional vessel
37271atherectomy with angioplasty, straightforward
37272atherectomy with angioplasty, straightforward, each additional vessel
37273atherectomy with angioplasty, complex
37274atherectomy with angioplasty, complex, each additional vessel
37275atherectomy with stent, straightforward
37276atherectomy with stent, straightforward, each additional vessel
37277atherectomy with stent, complex
37278atherectomy with stent, complex, each additional vessel
37279intravascular lithotripsy, femoral/popliteal; each vessel

Straightforward or complex?

Every 2026 revascularization family splits into a straightforward and a complex tier, each with its own “each additional vessel” add-on. Which tier applies is a coding determination made from the CPT definitions — not something a note can assert on its own. What the note can do is record the features those definitions turn on, so the record supports whichever tier your coder selects:

The generator records all five per segment, because they are the same facts that justify the work.

More than one vessel in the same territory

The primary code covers the first vessel treated in a territory. Each further vessel treated in that same territory takes the matching “each additional vessel” add-on from the table above — not a second primary code. The note has to name each vessel separately and show what was done in each, or the add-on has nothing to rest on.

What the note has to show

SCAI references

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions publishes the coding brochures most physicians already use for these codes. Read them directly; nothing here is reproduced from them, and SCAI does not endorse the codes this generator suggests.

Sample SFA atherectomy note

Produced by the generator from a worked example. No patient data: every identifier field is left as a blank for you to fill in your EMR.

Treatment section

Treatment:
IV heparin was administered per the dose indicated in the medications. Medical necessity: Hemodynamically significant disease, as detailed in the diagnostic segments previously, are causing symptoms consistent with clinical presentation. Intervention was therefore performed, as follows:

Leg: LEFT

Superficial Femoral artery: Pre-intervention finding: Severe stenosis (70-99%) - involving the mid and distal (adductor canal) segments, heavily calcified. Medical necessity: Hemodynamically significant disease warranting intervention as detailed in the diagnostic section. Intervention performed: Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty, Atherectomy. Details: Treatment of the mid and distal (adductor canal) segments: laser atherectomy using a 2.0 mm catheter at a fluence/repetition-rate setting of 60/80 (3 passes), followed by drug-coated balloon angioplasty with a 6 x 150 mm balloon. Post-intervention result: Improved luminal diameter with resolution of stenosis to less than 30%, restored antegrade flow, no dissection, perforation, or distal embolization.
Show the complete note this case produced
Vascular Procedure Report

Patient Name: ___________
Date of Birth: ___________
Medical Record #: ___________

Referring Physician: ___________
Operating Physician: ___________
Assistant Physician: ___________
Date of Service: ___________

Pre-Procedure Diagnosis: Atherosclerosis of the native arteries with non-healing wound, left leg.
Clinical classification: Left lower extremity - Rutherford category 5 (minor tissue loss).
ICD-10 Codes:
 I70.244 - Atherosclerosis of native arteries of left leg with ulceration of heel and midfoot

Post-Procedure Diagnosis: Same.

Anesthesia: Versed ___ mg IV, Fentanyl ___ mcg IV, Toradol ___ mg IV, Lidocaine 1%: ___ ml sq.

Medications: Heparin ___ units IV

Fluoroscopy Time: ___ minutes

Radiation Dose: Air Kerma: ___ mGy | Dose Area Product: ___ uGy.m2

Contrast Used: Visipaque 320 - ___ ml

Indications: The patient is a ___ year old with multiple CV risk factors and diagnosed with atherosclerosis of the native arteries with non-healing wound (left leg). This corresponds to Rutherford category 5 (minor tissue loss) in the left lower extremity. In addition to medical management, diagnostic angiogram with possible intervention is recommended. Risks and benefits were discussed in detail with the patient and patient-requested family/power of attorney, and informed consent was obtained, signed, and witnessed.

Procedures Performed:
1. Left Superficial Femoral Artery: Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty, Atherectomy (straightforward) [Left]
2. US-guided vascular access, right common femoral artery

Procedure in Detail:
Initial access including ultrasound guidance: The patient was brought to the angio suite and placed supine on the table. The entirety of the right groin was prepped and draped in the standard sterile fashion. A time out was performed. Access was obtained using ultrasound guidance examining the right common femoral artery and all branches above and below under ultrasound, confirming vessel patency under ultrasound, confirming needle access to the correct vessel under ultrasound, and confirming suitable non-calcified access to the right common femoral artery with a micropuncture and then upsized to a 5 French sheath. All ultrasound findings were recorded in real time and saved to the PACS system. The 5 French sheath used for initial access was exchanged to an up and over 6 French by 45 cm sheath. Diagnostic angiogram and interventions were then performed per the sections detailed below.

Wires and catheters: Initial access was obtained with a micropuncture sheath over a .018 wire, followed by upsize to a 5 French short sheath (5 cm) over a .035 Bentson wire. A 5F curved pigtail was used for the aortogram with runoff. The catheter was then exchanged over a .035 wire for the 6F 45cm sheath, which was advanced up and over to the contralateral side. Prior to intervention, a single .014 wire was placed with its tip visualized to be in a safe distal position.

Diagnostic angiogram: A 5F curved pigtail was inserted into the aorta, and aortogram with runoff was performed. A catheter was then moved to the contralateral femoral artery, and angiogram performed. A catheter was then moved to the contralateral tibioperoneal trunk (Third order catheterization), and angiogram was performed. Third order catheterization was necessary and in addition to proximal treatment to obtain detailed imaging of the outflow vessels and flow into the foot.

The diagnostic angiogram findings are as follows:

Aorta and iliac arteries:
 Aorta: Patent, no significant stenosis.
 Right Common Iliac: Patent, no significant stenosis.
 Right Internal Iliac: Patent, no significant stenosis.
 Right External Iliac: Patent, no significant stenosis.
 Left Common Iliac: Patent, no significant stenosis.
 Left Internal Iliac: Patent, no significant stenosis.
 Left External Iliac: Patent, no significant stenosis.

Leg: LEFT (Treatment Leg)

Common Femoral artery: Patent, no significant stenosis.
Profunda Femoris artery: Patent, no significant stenosis.
Superficial Femoral artery: Severe stenosis (70-99%) - involving the mid and distal (adductor canal) segments, heavily calcified.
Popliteal artery: Patent, no significant stenosis.
Tibioperoneal Trunk: Patent, no significant stenosis.
Anterior Tibial artery: Patent, no significant stenosis.
Posterior Tibial Artery: Patent, no significant stenosis.
Peroneal Artery: Patent, no significant stenosis.

Leg: RIGHT (Access Leg)

Common Femoral artery: Patent, no significant stenosis.
Profunda Femoris artery: Patent, no significant stenosis.
Superficial Femoral artery: Patent, no significant stenosis.

Runoff Summary:

Left tibial runoff: 3-vessel in-line tibial runoff (anterior tibial artery, posterior tibial artery, and peroneal artery). There is straight-line in-line flow into the left foot. The pedal (foot) vessels were not imaged on this study. Of note, flow may be severely limited by severe (70-99%) stenosis of the superficial femoral artery.

Treatment:
IV heparin was administered per the dose indicated in the medications. Medical necessity: Hemodynamically significant disease, as detailed in the diagnostic segments previously, are causing symptoms consistent with clinical presentation. Intervention was therefore performed, as follows:

Leg: LEFT

Superficial Femoral artery: Pre-intervention finding: Severe stenosis (70-99%) - involving the mid and distal (adductor canal) segments, heavily calcified. Medical necessity: Hemodynamically significant disease warranting intervention as detailed in the diagnostic section. Intervention performed: Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty, Atherectomy. Details: Treatment of the mid and distal (adductor canal) segments: laser atherectomy using a 2.0 mm catheter at a fluence/repetition-rate setting of 60/80 (3 passes), followed by drug-coated balloon angioplasty with a 6 x 150 mm balloon. Post-intervention result: Improved luminal diameter with resolution of stenosis to less than 30%, restored antegrade flow, no dissection, perforation, or distal embolization.

Completion Angiogram:
Following all interventions, a completion angiogram of the treated vascular territory was performed, demonstrating successful treatment of the Left Superficial Femoral Artery. Completion angiography demonstrates three-vessel in-line tibial runoff into the left foot (anterior tibial artery, posterior tibial artery, and peroneal artery).

Closure:
Hemostasis was achieved at the access site using an Angio-Seal VIP vascular closure device. The device was deployed successfully with adequate hemostasis confirmed. The patient was monitored and transferred to the recovery area in stable condition. All treated extremity pulses were assessed post-procedure. The patient will be monitored per institutional post-procedural protocol.

Impression:
1. Successful treatment of the mid and distal (adductor canal) segments of the Left Superficial Femoral Artery with drug-coated balloon angioplasty and atherectomy. The Left Superficial Femoral Artery, which initially demonstrated severe (70 to 99%) stenosis on 2-D angiogram (involving the mid and distal (adductor canal) segments, heavily calcified) was reduced to less than 30% residual stenosis with overall improved luminal diameter, restored antegrade flow, and no evidence of dissection, perforation or distal embolization.
2. Left tibial runoff: 3-vessel in-line tibial runoff (anterior tibial artery, posterior tibial artery, and peroneal artery). There is now straight-line in-line flow into the left foot. The pedal (foot) vessels were not imaged on this study.

Plan:
The patient was transferred to recovery for ongoing clinical assessment, pulse checks.


--- SUGGESTED CODING (verify prior to submission) ---
Place of service: Office / OBL (POS 11)

CPT Codes:
  1. 37271 -LT - Fem-Pop revascularization, initial vessel (straightforward, atherectomy_pta) [Left]
  2. 76937 - US-guided vascular access, right common femoral artery

ICD-10 Diagnosis Codes:
  1. I70.244 - Atherosclerosis of native arteries of left leg with ulceration of heel and midfoot

Codes the generator suggested for this case

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