Chronic hepatic failure with coma

This code signifies a long-standing, severe impairment of liver function that has progressed to the point of causing encephalopathy, characterized by altered mental status or loss of consciousness. It indicates the liver's inability to perform its essential metabolic and detoxification roles due to chronic damage.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states chronic liver failure with an associated comatose state, hepatic encephalopathy grade III or IV, or similar severe neurological impairment due to liver dysfunction. This diagnosis is typically supported by a history of chronic liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis) and clinical findings of hepatic encephalopathy.

• Differentiate from acute hepatic failure with coma (K72.01); ensure documentation specifies "chronic."
• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis if it is the reason for the encounter.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly states the presence of "coma" or a severe grade of hepatic encephalopathy.