Alcoholic cardiomyopathy

This code represents a form of heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) specifically caused by chronic and excessive alcohol consumption. It leads to weakening and enlargement of the heart, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively.

Use this code when documentation clearly links cardiomyopathy to a history of significant alcohol abuse. Supporting documentation includes physician notes detailing alcohol history, echocardiogram findings consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy, and exclusion of other causes.

• Ensure the physician explicitly states the causal link between alcohol and cardiomyopathy.
• Do not use for other forms of cardiomyopathy without an alcoholic etiology.
• Consider co-reporting with codes for alcohol dependence (e.g., 303.9x) if documented.