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.

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