Meningococcal pericarditis

This code signifies inflammation of the pericardium (the sac surrounding the heart) specifically caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It represents a serious cardiac complication of meningococcal disease, often presenting with chest pain, dyspnea, and signs of pericardial effusion.

Assign this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of pericarditis directly attributed to meningococcal infection. This typically occurs in patients with confirmed meningococcal disease who develop cardiac symptoms and imaging findings consistent with pericarditis. Supporting documentation includes positive cultures for N. meningitidis and/or serological evidence, alongside clinical and echocardiographic findings of pericarditis.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly links the pericarditis to meningococcal etiology; do not assume the cause.
• Code any underlying meningococcal infection (e.g., meningitis, septicemia) as the primary diagnosis, with this code as a secondary diagnosis.
• Distinguish from other forms of infectious pericarditis, which have different ICD-10-CM codes.