AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2002 Fourth Quarter; VOLUMES 1 AND 2 NEW/REVISED DIAGNOSIS CODES

Atheroembolism

Effective October 1, 2002, unique codes have been created to uniquely report atheroembolism separate and distinct from atherosclerosis, thrombosis or embolism. Atheroembolism is a distinct entity. Thrombosis and embolism involve true clots (category 444), while atheroembolism is degenerative material from plaques. Atheroemboli may be demonstrated by identification of cholesterol crystals in biopsy from kidney, skin or muscle. The cholesterol embolizes from atheromatous plaques, usually in the aorta. Fragments of atheromatous material from larger arterial vessels (like the aorta or renal artery) embolize to small arteries, arterioles and glomeruli. Atheroembolism tends to occur in elderly patients with preexisting atherosclerotic arterial...

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