Question:
A patient had a left heart catheterization with coronary angiograms and selective bilateral renal arteriograms performed during the same session. The arteriograms are negative. Does there need to be additional documentation supporting the medical need for the selective renal arteriograms?
Answer:
Yes. Per the American College of Cardiology Foundation, all studies need to have documented medical need. If additional studies (e.g., abdominal aortogram, selective renal arteriograms, lower extremity arteriograms) are performed during the same session as the cardiac catheterization, there must be documentation supporting medical need for each study.