Updated October 2026 for 2027. ICD-10-CM codes reflect the FY2027 code set effective October 1, 2026, and CPT codes reflect the current code set, including the 2026 overhaul of lower extremity revascularization codes.
Quick answer: Medical coding for arteries and veins uses ICD-10-CM codes from Chapter 9 (codes starting with I) for the condition and CPT codes for the procedure. Common examples are I74.9 (arterial embolism and thrombosis, unspecified artery), I82.90 (acute venous embolism and thrombosis, unspecified vein), 92920 (coronary angioplasty), 92928 (coronary stent), 37236 (stent in a non coronary, non lower extremity artery) and 37254 to 37299 (lower extremity revascularization since 2026).
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What is medical coding for arteries and veins?
Medical coding for arteries and veins is an essential part of healthcare documentation. It supports accurate billing, proper reimbursement and clear communication among providers. Coders use ICD-10-CM codes to report vascular conditions and CPT and HCPCS codes to report vascular procedures.
Arteries carry oxygen rich blood away from the heart to the body. Veins return deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart. To code these vessels accurately, the coder must know the anatomical location, the type of condition (such as thrombosis, stenosis or aneurysm) and the procedure performed (such as angioplasty, stenting or vein stripping).
Which ICD-10-CM codes are used for arteries and veins?
Diseases of arteries and veins are found in ICD-10-CM Chapter 9, Diseases of the Circulatory System, with codes that begin with the letter I. Examples include:
- I63: Cerebral infarction (a category that needs additional characters to identify the artery and cause before it is billable)
- I74.9: Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified artery
- I82.90: Acute embolism and thrombosis of unspecified vein
- I82.91: Chronic embolism and thrombosis of unspecified vein
I82.9 by itself is a subcategory, not a billable code. Always code to the highest level of specificity, including the vessel, laterality and whether the condition is acute or chronic when documented.
Which CPT codes are used for artery and vein procedures?
| Procedure | CPT Code | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Selective catheter placement | 36215 | Selective catheter placement, arterial system, first order thoracic or brachiocephalic branch, within a vascular family |
| Coronary angioplasty | 92920 | Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, single major coronary artery or branch |
| Coronary stent | 92928 | Percutaneous transcatheter placement of intracoronary stent(s), with angioplasty when performed, single major coronary artery or branch |
| Non coronary stent | 37236 | Transcatheter intravascular stent placement, initial artery, for arteries other than lower extremity, cervical carotid, extracranial vertebral, intrathoracic carotid, intracranial or coronary (for example, renal or subclavian) |
| Lower extremity revascularization | 37254 to 37299 | Angioplasty, stenting and atherectomy of leg arteries, reported by vascular territory (replaced 37220 to 37235 in 2026) |
| Coronary artery bypass | 33533 | Coronary artery bypass using arterial graft, single arterial graft |
| Vein stripping, short saphenous | 37718 | Ligation, division and stripping, short saphenous vein |
| Vein stripping, long saphenous | 37722 | Ligation, division and stripping, long (greater) saphenous vein from saphenofemoral junction to knee or below |
| Arterial thrombectomy | 37184 | Primary percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, noncoronary, non intracranial artery or arterial bypass graft, initial vessel |
| Venous thrombectomy | 37187 | Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, vein(s), including intraprocedural pharmacological thrombolytic injections and fluoroscopic guidance |
What changed for lower extremity revascularization codes?
CPT 2026 deleted the lower extremity revascularization codes 37220 to 37235 and replaced them with 37254 to 37299. The new codes are organized by vascular territory: iliac, femoral and popliteal, tibial and peroneal, and inframalleolar (below the ankle). Read the operative report carefully to identify each territory and vessel treated, and the most intensive service performed in each, before selecting codes.
What are the major arteries of the body?
These are the major arteries most often referenced in medical coding:
- Aorta: The largest artery in the body. It originates at the heart and distributes oxygenated blood to the entire body.
- Coronary arteries: Branches of the aorta that supply blood to the heart muscle.
- Carotid arteries: Located in the neck, they supply blood to the brain, neck and face.
- Subclavian arteries: Supply blood to the arms and parts of the chest.
- Brachial artery: Located in the upper arm, it supplies blood to the arm and hand.
- Renal arteries: Supply blood to the kidneys.
- Iliac arteries: Supply blood to the pelvis and lower limbs.
- Femoral artery: Supplies blood to the lower limb and runs down the thigh.
- Pulmonary arteries: Carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs.
What are the major veins of the body?
Veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart. The major veins include:
- Superior vena cava: Carries blood from the upper body (head, neck and arms) to the right atrium.
- Inferior vena cava: Carries blood from the lower body (abdomen, pelvis and legs) to the heart.
- Jugular veins: Drain blood from the head and neck into the superior vena cava.
- Subclavian veins: Drain blood from the arms into the superior vena cava.
- Femoral veins: Drain blood from the legs toward the inferior vena cava.
- Renal veins: Return blood from the kidneys to the inferior vena cava.
- Hepatic veins: Drain blood from the liver into the inferior vena cava.
- Pulmonary veins: Carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
For a complete anatomical list, see this list of arteries of the human body on Wikipedia.
Why is accurate artery and vein coding important?
Correct coding of arteries and veins supports accurate diagnosis reporting, medical necessity and reimbursement. By knowing the anatomy of these vessels and the coding conventions in ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS, coders can process vascular claims accurately and reduce denials.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CPT code for a coronary stent?
CPT 92928 reports placement of an intracoronary stent in a single major coronary artery or branch, including angioplasty when performed.
Is CPT 37236 used for coronary stents?
No. CPT 37236 reports a stent in arteries other than the coronary, lower extremity, cervical carotid, extracranial vertebral, intrathoracic carotid and intracranial arteries, such as a renal or subclavian artery stent.
What is the ICD-10-CM code for an acute DVT when the vein is not specified?
I82.90 reports acute embolism and thrombosis of an unspecified vein. Report a more specific code from category I82 when the provider documents the vein and laterality.
Were the lower extremity revascularization codes replaced?
Yes. CPT 2026 deleted 37220 to 37235 and replaced them with 37254 to 37299, organized by vascular territory.
What is the difference between CPT 37718 and 37722?
37718 reports ligation, division and stripping of the short saphenous vein. 37722 reports the same procedure on the long (greater) saphenous vein.
Related Coding Clarified guides
- Medical Coding CABG
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Medical Coding
- CT Scan CPT Coding Guide
- Medical Coding Reference Library
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