Gastric varices

This code represents abnormally dilated veins in the stomach, typically occurring as a complication of portal hypertension. These varices are prone to rupture, leading to potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states the presence of gastric varices. This diagnosis is commonly associated with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis. Supporting documentation includes endoscopy reports, imaging studies, and physician notes detailing the finding.

• Do not confuse with esophageal varices (I85.00, I85.01), which are coded separately.
• Always look for documentation of associated bleeding (e.g., K92.2) and sequence accordingly based on the reason for the encounter.
• Specificity regarding the presence or absence of bleeding is crucial for accurate coding of varices.