100+ Free CCVTC Practice Questions

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Which heart valves are classified as semilunar valves?

Mitral and tricuspid

Tricuspid and pulmonary

Aortic and pulmonary

Aortic and mitral

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CPC Certified Professional Coder Study Guide

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CCVTC Exam

150

Total Items

AAPC

5h 40m

Exam Time

AAPC

$299

AAPC Member Fee

AAPC

90 days

Major Surgery Global

CMS

The AAPC CCVTC consists of 150 MCQ items over 5h40m with 70% passing. Fee $299 AAPC member. Master CABG/valve/TAVR codes, EVAR/TEVAR (open vs endovascular AAA), thoracic procedures (lobectomy, VATS), ECMO/IABP/LVAD, and co-surgeon (62) plus assistant surgeon (80) modifiers.

Sample CCVTC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CCVTC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which coronary artery is referred to as the 'widow maker' due to the high mortality associated with its proximal occlusion?

A.Right coronary artery (RCA)

B.Left circumflex artery (LCx)

C.Left anterior descending artery (LAD)

D.Posterior descending artery (PDA)

Explanation: The left anterior descending (LAD) artery supplies the anterior wall and septum of the left ventricle. Proximal LAD occlusion leads to massive anterior MI with high mortality, earning the 'widow maker' nickname. Coders should recognize LAD anatomy when interpreting CABG and PCI documentation.

2Which heart valves are classified as semilunar valves?

A.Mitral and tricuspid

B.Aortic and pulmonary

C.Aortic and mitral

D.Tricuspid and pulmonary

Explanation: The aortic and pulmonary valves are semilunar valves, named for their half-moon shaped cusps. They sit between the ventricles and the great arteries. The mitral and tricuspid are atrioventricular (AV) valves. Knowing valve type is essential for assigning the correct CPT code (e.g., 33405 aortic vs 33425 mitral).

3Which of the following is NOT a branch of the aortic arch?

A.Brachiocephalic (innominate) artery

B.Left common carotid artery

C.Left subclavian artery

D.Celiac trunk

Explanation: The three classic branches of the aortic arch are the brachiocephalic, left common carotid, and left subclavian arteries. The celiac trunk is a branch of the abdominal aorta. Coders working with TEVAR (33880-33891) and arch debranching procedures must know these anatomic relationships.

4A patient has a critical lesion in the 'obtuse marginal' branch. This branch arises from which coronary artery?

A.Right coronary artery

B.Left anterior descending

C.Left circumflex

D.Posterior descending

Explanation: Obtuse marginal (OM) branches arise from the left circumflex (LCx) artery and supply the lateral LV wall. Documentation of OM bypass affects the count of distal anastomoses for CABG coding.

5Which structure separates the right and left ventricles?

A.Interatrial septum

B.Interventricular septum

C.Atrioventricular septum

D.Pericardium

Explanation: The interventricular septum (IVS) separates the right and left ventricles and contains both muscular and membranous portions. Ventricular septal defects (VSDs, code 33647) involve this structure.

6An aortic dissection that involves only the descending aorta distal to the left subclavian is classified as which Stanford type?

A.Stanford Type A

B.Stanford Type B

C.DeBakey Type I

D.DeBakey Type II

Explanation: Stanford Type B dissections involve only the descending aorta (distal to the left subclavian) and are typically managed medically or endovascularly (TEVAR, 33880-33881). Type A involves the ascending aorta and requires emergent open repair.

7Which lung lobe is absent on the left side of the chest?

A.Upper lobe

B.Lower lobe

C.Middle lobe

D.Lingula

Explanation: The left lung has only upper and lower lobes; there is no left middle lobe. The lingula is part of the left upper lobe and is anatomically analogous to the right middle lobe. This affects CPT lobectomy coding (32480).

8The SA (sinoatrial) node, the heart's natural pacemaker, is located in which chamber?

A.Right atrium

B.Left atrium

C.Right ventricle

D.Left ventricle

Explanation: The SA node sits in the upper wall of the right atrium near the entry of the superior vena cava. Conduction system anatomy is essential when coding electrophysiology studies, ablations, and pacemaker placements.

9A 68-year-old has aortic stenosis with mean gradient 45 mmHg and valve area 0.8 cm². This severity classification is:

A.Mild

B.Moderate

C.Severe

D.Critical (very severe)

Explanation: Severe aortic stenosis is defined by valve area <1.0 cm², mean gradient ≥40 mmHg, or peak velocity ≥4 m/s. This patient meets criteria, supporting medical necessity for SAVR or TAVR (33405 / 33361-33369).

10The phrenic nerve innervates which structure of significance during cardiothoracic surgery?

A.Larynx

B.Diaphragm

C.Esophagus

D.Vocal cords

Explanation: The phrenic nerve provides motor innervation to the diaphragm. Surgeons must protect it during pericardial, lung, and mediastinal procedures because injury can cause hemidiaphragm paralysis.

About the CCVTC Exam

AAPC specialty credential for cardiovascular and thoracic surgery coders. Validates expertise in cardiac surgery (CABG, valve repair/replacement, TAVR, transplant, ECMO), vascular surgery (open and endovascular AAA, carotid endarterectomy, PVD interventions, AV access), thoracic surgery (lobectomy, VATS, pneumonectomy, esophagectomy), critical care devices (ECMO, IABP, LVAD), and global period/co-surgeon modifiers (62, 80, 22).

Questions

150 scored questions

Time Limit

5 hours 40 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$299 AAPC member (AAPC)

CCVTC Exam Content Outline

15%

Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anatomy/Pathology

Coronary arteries, valves, conduction, lung anatomy, mediastinum

25%

CPT Cardiac Surgery

CABG, valve open/TAVR/MitraClip, MAZE, septal defect repair, transplant

20%

CPT Vascular Surgery

Open and endovascular AAA, carotid endarterectomy, PVD interventions, AV access

15%

CPT Thoracic Surgery

Lobectomy open vs VATS, pneumonectomy, chest tube, esophagectomy, fundoplication

10%

ICD-10-CM Cardiovascular and Thoracic

I25, I71 aneurysm/dissection, I35-I39 valvular, J81/J93 pulmonary, K22 esophageal

15%

Modifiers, Bundling and Compliance

62 co-surgeon, 80 assistant, 22 increased complexity, 78 return to OR, 90-day global

How to Pass the CCVTC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Exam length: 150 questions
Time limit: 5 hours 40 minutes
Exam fee: $299 AAPC member

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CCVTC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master modifier 62 (co-surgeon) vs 80 (assistant): 62 = different specialties, each bills same code, each gets 62.5%; 80 = assistant, gets 16%

2Know CABG codes: 33510 single venous graft, 33511 two venous, +1 for each addt'l venous graft; 33533 single arterial; combined arterial+venous 33517-33523

3Understand global period: 90 days for major CV/thoracic surgery; modifier 24 unrelated E/M; 25 separate E/M same day; 78 return to OR for related

4Memorize TAVR coverage NCD: heart team approach required (interventional cardiologist + cardiothoracic surgeon must independently agree); CMS Coverage with Evidence Development

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between modifier 62 and modifier 80?

Modifier 62 (co-surgeon) is used when two surgeons of DIFFERENT specialties each perform a distinct part of the procedure (e.g., cardiothoracic + vascular for complex aortic surgery). Each surgeon bills the same code with -62 and receives ~62.5% of full payment. Modifier 80 (assistant surgeon) is for an assistant who provides ancillary support; payment is ~16% of the full fee.

How is open AAA repair different from EVAR?

Open AAA repair uses 35081-35103 (with vs without iliac involvement, with vs without graft). Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) uses 34701-34717 (infrarenal aorta, with/without iliac extensions). Fenestrated EVAR uses 34800-34834. Thoracic EVAR uses 33880-33891. EVAR codes generally include device deployment + imaging guidance.

What CPT code is used for ECMO?

ECMO codes 33946-33989 cover initiation (separate codes for venoarterial vs venovenous), daily management (33948 first day, 33949 each addt'l day), decannulation, repositioning, and complications. ECMO is typically bundled with daily critical care management when reported by intensivists.