Rheumatic aortic insufficiency

This code represents a condition where the aortic valve, damaged by rheumatic fever, fails to close properly, leading to backflow of blood into the left ventricle during diastole. This insufficiency can cause volume overload and progressive heart failure.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states rheumatic aortic insufficiency or rheumatic aortic regurgitation. It is appropriate for both acute and chronic presentations of valve damage directly attributable to a history of rheumatic fever.

• Always confirm the rheumatic etiology; if not specified, consider non-rheumatic aortic insufficiency (I35.1).
• Code any associated heart failure separately, linking it to the valvular disease.
• Review the patient's history for evidence of rheumatic fever to support the etiology.