Chronic diastolic (congestive) heart failure

This code signifies a long-standing condition where the heart's left ventricle is unable to relax and fill properly during diastole, leading to elevated filling pressures and symptoms of heart failure. Despite adequate pumping function (preserved ejection fraction), the heart struggles to accept blood, causing congestion in the lungs and other organs.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates chronic heart failure primarily due to impaired ventricular relaxation and filling, often referred to as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This diagnosis is typically supported by echocardiogram findings showing normal or near-normal ejection fraction alongside evidence of diastolic dysfunction.

• Always confirm the chronicity and the specific type of heart failure (diastolic) from the physician's documentation.
• Distinguish carefully from acute diastolic heart failure (I50.31) and combined systolic and diastolic heart failure (I50.4x).
• Look for supporting diagnostic test results, such as echocardiogram reports detailing diastolic function.