Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of precerebral artery

This code signifies a stroke caused by a blood clot forming within an extracranial artery (e.g., carotid, vertebral) that supplies blood to the brain, excluding the basilar, middle cerebral, anterior cerebral, and posterior cerebral arteries. It indicates brain tissue death resulting from this specific type of thrombotic occlusion.

Use this code when documentation clearly states a cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of a precerebral artery other than those specified in more granular codes (e.g., I63.011, I63.02). Supporting documentation would include imaging reports confirming infarction and physician notes specifying the thrombotic etiology and the affected "other" precerebral artery.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "thrombosis" as the cause, not embolism or unspecified occlusion.
• Verify that the affected precerebral artery is not one with a more specific code (e.g., carotid, vertebral).
• Always sequence this code after any associated symptoms or sequelae, if applicable.