Cardiology Question for the Week of September 26, 2022

Question:

Can you explain more details on what is required in regard to documentation for duplex studies?

Answer:

In the Ultrasound Coding User’s Guide, the ACR specifically states “Assessing flow with color, recording a waveform, and reporting the findings in a medically indicated examination are the key elements to look for in a report.” Understand that both spectral analysis and color flow must be documented to assign one of the duplex codes and a report should document the velocity measurements of blood flow. Several terms that indicate spectral analysis are: acceleration rate, monophasic, biphasic, or triphasic waveforms, peak systolic velocity, resistive index (RI), velocity, and waveform analysis.

This question was answered in our Ultrasound Coder. For more hot topics relating to radiology services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.