Chronic total occlusion of artery of the extremities

This code signifies a complete and long-standing blockage of an artery in the upper or lower limbs. This chronic obstruction restricts blood flow, potentially leading to ischemia, pain, and tissue damage in the affected extremity.

Assign this code when documentation confirms a complete and persistent occlusion of a peripheral artery, typically identified through imaging studies like angiography or duplex ultrasound. This diagnosis is often associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and may be a precursor to critical limb ischemia.

• Do not use for acute occlusions; differentiate between acute and chronic presentations.
• Specify the affected extremity (e.g., right, left, bilateral) if documented, using more specific codes if available (e.g., I70.261 for right leg).
• Code any underlying conditions, such as atherosclerosis (I70.- series), as additional diagnoses.