Fontan related circulation, unspecified

This code signifies complications or issues arising from a Fontan procedure, a palliative surgical intervention for complex congenital heart defects with a single functional ventricle. It indicates a problem with the modified circulatory system created by the Fontan, where the systemic venous return is directly connected to the pulmonary arteries, bypassing a ventricle.

Apply this code when documentation indicates a complication or adverse event related to a patient's Fontan circulation, but the specific nature of the complication is not further specified. This could include general Fontan failure, protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) without a more specific code, or other uncharacterized issues directly attributed to the Fontan pathway.

• Only use this code when the specific Fontan-related complication is not documented with greater specificity.
• Always look for more precise codes within the I27.8 series (e.g., I27.81, I27.82, I27.83) if the documentation allows.
• Sequence this code after the primary diagnosis if the Fontan complication is secondary to another condition, or as the primary diagnosis if it is the main reason for the encounter.