Portal vein-hepatic artery fistula

This code represents an abnormal connection between the portal vein and the hepatic artery, allowing arterial blood to bypass the hepatic sinusoids and directly enter the portal venous system. This vascular anomaly can lead to portal hypertension, liver dysfunction, and other systemic complications due to altered hepatic blood flow.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states the presence of a portal vein-hepatic artery fistula, whether congenital or acquired. This diagnosis is typically confirmed through imaging studies such as angiography, CT, or MRI. It is appropriate for both symptomatic and incidentally discovered fistulas.

• Differentiate from other intrahepatic vascular malformations; this code is specific to the portal vein and hepatic artery connection.
• Consider sequencing this code as a primary diagnosis if it is the main reason for the encounter or treatment.
• Ensure documentation specifies the exact vessels involved to avoid confusion with other arteriovenous malformations of the liver.