I63.011
BillableCerebral infarction due to thrombosis of right vertebral artery
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 249 — Ischemic or Unspecified Stroke
0.289V24HCC 100 — Ischemic or Unspecified Stroke
0.262ESRDHCC 100 — Ischemic or Unspecified Stroke
0.000What This Code Means
A stroke caused by a blood clot in the right vertebral artery, which is a major blood vessel in the neck that supplies the brain.
Coding Tips
- •Ensure documentation specifies 'right' vertebral artery to distinguish from left or bilateral involvement
- •Verify imaging confirmation of thrombosis in the right vertebral artery
Clinical Significance
Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of the right vertebral artery is a posterior circulation ischemic stroke that can affect the brain stem, cerebellum, and occipital lobes. Vertebral artery thrombosis is an important cause of posterior circulation strokes and may present with vertigo, ataxia, visual field deficits, or cranial nerve palsies. Accurate laterality coding is essential for surgical planning and for precise risk adjustment.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Imaging confirmation of cerebral infarction (CT or MRI showing acute ischemic changes)
- ✓Vascular imaging (CTA, MRA, or conventional angiography) identifying right vertebral artery thrombosis
- ✓Documentation specifying right-sided laterality
- ✓Neurological examination documenting posterior circulation stroke symptoms
- ✓Time of onset and treatment decisions
- ✓Risk factor documentation and stroke etiology workup
Commonly Confused Codes
I63.012 — Thrombosis of left vertebral artery; opposite lateralityI63.019 — Thrombosis of unspecified vertebral artery; use only when laterality is truly unknownI63.111 — Embolism of right vertebral artery; different mechanism (traveling clot vs. in situ clot)I63.211 — Unspecified occlusion or stenosis of right vertebral artery; does not specify thrombosis mechanismI65.01 — Occlusion and stenosis of right vertebral artery without cerebral infarction; no stroke present
Code Hierarchy
└I63Cerebral infarction└I63.0Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of precerebral arteries└I63.01Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of vertebral artery└I63.011Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of right vertebral artery
└I63.011Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of right vertebral artery