Arteriovenous malformation of vessel of lower limb

This code signifies an abnormal, direct connection between an artery and a vein in the lower limb, bypassing the capillary bed. This congenital vascular anomaly can lead to high-flow shunting, potentially causing symptoms such as pain, swelling, skin changes, or even heart failure due to increased cardiac output.

Use this code when documentation clearly identifies a congenital arteriovenous malformation (AVM) located in any vessel of the lower extremity. This applies to both symptomatic and incidentally discovered AVMs. Supporting documentation includes imaging reports (e.g., angiography, MRI, ultrasound) confirming the diagnosis and anatomical location.

• Differentiate from acquired arteriovenous fistulas, which are coded differently.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "malformation" rather than just "fistula" to support this congenital code.
• Code any associated complications (e.g., ulceration, hemorrhage, heart failure) separately.