Chronic total occlusion of coronary artery

This code represents a severe, long-standing blockage of a coronary artery that completely obstructs blood flow. This condition is distinct from acute blockages and indicates a chronic, complete occlusion of one or more coronary arteries.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states "chronic total occlusion" (CTO) of a coronary artery, often identified during angiography or other cardiac imaging. This diagnosis typically indicates a complex, long-standing coronary artery disease that may be considered for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

• Differentiate carefully between acute and chronic occlusions; the Excludes1 notes are critical.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "total" occlusion, not just severe stenosis.
• This code is often a secondary diagnosis, accompanying codes for angina, heart failure, or other manifestations of coronary artery disease.