Congenital dilation of aorta

This code represents a congenital anomaly characterized by an abnormal and persistent widening or bulging of the aorta, the body's main artery, present from birth. This dilation can affect any segment of the aorta, including the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, or descending aorta, and is not acquired later in life.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of congenital aortic dilation, often identified during fetal imaging, infancy, or early childhood. This diagnosis is typically supported by echocardiography, CT angiography, or MRI findings demonstrating the abnormal aortic diameter.

• Differentiate from acquired aortic aneurysms (I71.-) which develop later in life due to conditions like atherosclerosis or hypertension.
• Specify the location of the dilation (e.g., ascending, descending) if documented, as this may impact clinical management and potentially lead to more specific codes in other code sets (e.g., CPT for surgical repair).
• Code any associated congenital heart defects separately if documented, as they frequently co-occur with congenital aortic anomalies.