AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2008 Issue 4; VOLUMES 1 AND 2 NEW/REVISED CODES

Excision or Destruction of Left Atrial Appendage

Effective October 1, 2008, code 37.36 has been created for the excision or destruction of the left atrial appendage (LAA). Excision or destruction of the left atrial appendage is often performed on patients with atrial fibrillation, or may be performed prophylactically when the patient is undergoing a major cardiovascular procedure for another indication. This procedure is performed to prevent future strokes. Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and its prevalence increases as the patient population ages. Patients with atrial fibrillation are five times more likely to suffer a thromboembolic stroke than patients with normal sinus rhythm...

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