Chronic constrictive pericarditis

This diagnosis code signifies a long-standing condition where the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, becomes thickened, fibrotic, and rigid. This rigidity restricts the heart's ability to fill properly, leading to impaired cardiac function and symptoms of heart failure.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a chronic, rather than acute, inflammatory process of the pericardium resulting in constriction. This diagnosis is supported by findings such as pericardial thickening on imaging (e.g., echocardiogram, CT, MRI) and clinical signs of restrictive cardiomyopathy.

• Differentiate carefully between acute pericarditis (I01.0, I30.-) and chronic constrictive pericarditis based on duration and structural changes.
• Ensure documentation specifies "chronic" or indicates long-term fibrotic changes to support this code.
• Consider co-reporting codes for underlying causes of pericarditis if known and documented (e.g., tuberculosis, radiation exposure).