Alcoholic hepatic failure with coma

This code signifies a severe, acute deterioration of liver function caused by chronic alcohol abuse, leading to hepatic encephalopathy characterized by a comatose state. It represents the end-stage manifestation of alcoholic liver disease where the liver is unable to detoxify the blood, resulting in neurological impairment.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a patient presenting with hepatic failure directly attributable to alcohol consumption, accompanied by a documented coma. This typically involves patients with a history of heavy alcohol use exhibiting profound altered mental status, unresponsiveness, and laboratory findings consistent with severe liver dysfunction (e.g., elevated ammonia, INR, bilirubin).

• Always ensure documentation explicitly links the hepatic failure to alcohol use and confirms the presence of coma.
• Do not confuse with hepatic encephalopathy without coma (K70.40) or other causes of hepatic failure.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for admission or the principal condition being treated.