Occlusion and stenosis of right vertebral artery

This diagnosis code signifies a narrowing or complete blockage of the right vertebral artery, a major blood vessel supplying blood to the brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior cerebrum. This condition can lead to vertebrobasilar insufficiency, causing symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, visual disturbances, and ataxia.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states occlusion or stenosis affecting the right vertebral artery. This is typically supported by imaging studies such as duplex ultrasound, CT angiography, or MR angiography confirming the location and nature of the vascular compromise.

• Ensure laterality is clearly documented as "right" to avoid miscoding.
• Distinguish from other vertebral artery codes (e.g., left, bilateral, unspecified) based on physician documentation.
• Code any associated neurological deficits or symptoms separately, following sequencing guidelines.