Final answer:
The correct CPT code for the placement of a flow-directed Swan-Ganz catheter is B.93503. This code accounts for the insertion and placement of the catheter used to measure cardiac function in critically ill patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Swan-Ganz catheter is a special type of catheter used in critical care settings to measure heart function and hemodynamics in critically ill patients. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) provides a standardized system of coding for medical procedures to facilitate billing and record-keeping. Code 93503 relates to the insertion and placement of a flow-directed Swan-Ganz catheter for monitoring purposes. This catheter provides important data to healthcare professionals, such as pulmonary artery pressures and cardiac output, which are critical for managing complex cardiac cases. Code 36160 is relevant to the introduction of a needle or intracatheter into the aorta or arterial line, while code 36013 denotes the introduction of catheter into the vein.
Finally, code 36556 is used for insertion of a non-tunneled centrally inserted central venous catheter, without subcutaneous port or pump, age 5 years or older. In this instance, the correct CPT code for the placement of a Swan-Ganz catheter is 93503, which is specific to this particular procedure.