Atherosclerosis of aorta

This code describes the hardening and narrowing of the aorta due to plaque buildup, specifically atherosclerosis. This condition can lead to reduced blood flow and increased risk of complications such as aneurysms or dissections. It represents a chronic, progressive disease affecting the body's largest artery.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states atherosclerosis of the aorta. This includes findings from imaging studies (e.g., CT, MRI, ultrasound) or surgical reports confirming atherosclerotic changes in the aortic wall. It is appropriate for both symptomatic and asymptomatic presentations of aortic atherosclerosis.

• Do not use this code for atherosclerosis in other arterial locations; specific codes exist for those sites.
• If the atherosclerosis is specified as involving a particular segment of the aorta (e.g., thoracic, abdominal), a more specific code from the I70 series should be chosen if available.
• Always review documentation for any associated complications (e.g., aneurysm, dissection, embolism) that would require additional coding.