Intraoperative cardiac arrest during cardiac surgery

This code signifies the sudden cessation of cardiac activity occurring specifically during a cardiac surgical procedure. It indicates a life-threatening event where the heart stops pumping blood effectively, requiring immediate intervention within the operating room.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states that a patient experienced cardiac arrest during a surgical procedure on the heart or great vessels. Documentation must specify the intraoperative timing and the cardiac nature of the surgery.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "intraoperative" and "cardiac surgery" to differentiate from other types of cardiac arrest.
• Do not confuse with cardiac arrest occurring postoperatively or during non-cardiac surgery; these have different codes.
• Always sequence this code as a secondary diagnosis, with the primary diagnosis reflecting the reason for the cardiac surgery.