I63.6
BillableCerebral infarction due to cerebral venous thrombosis, nonpyogenic
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 veins of the brain, not due to infection.
Coding Tips
- •This code is specifically for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) that is nonpyogenic (not infection-related); ensure infection is ruled out.
- •CVT can present with various symptoms including headache, seizures, or focal neurological deficits; document the clinical presentation clearly.
Clinical Significance
Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a distinct form of stroke caused by clotting in the cerebral venous sinuses rather than arterial occlusion. CVT has a different pathophysiology, risk factor profile, and treatment approach compared to arterial ischemic stroke, often affecting younger patients and those with hypercoagulable states. Accurate coding distinguishes this from arterial strokes and ensures appropriate risk adjustment for this serious but treatable condition.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Clear diagnosis of acute cerebral infarction (stroke) with type specified (ischemic, thrombotic, embolic, or venous)
- ✓Identification of the affected artery or vascular territory when possible (e.g., middle cerebral, cerebellar, small vessel)
- ✓Laterality documentation (right, left, bilateral, or unspecified)
- ✓Neurological deficits present on examination (e.g., weakness, speech difficulty, vision changes)
- ✓Imaging results (CT, MRI, CT angiography) confirming infarction
- ✓Temporal relationship establishing this as an acute event, not a historical or resolved condition
- ✓Causal mechanism when known (thrombosis, embolism, stenosis, venous thrombosis)
Commonly Confused Codes
I63.9 — Cerebral infarction, unspecified; CVT should be coded specifically when documentedI67.6 — Nonpyogenic thrombosis of intracranial venous system; use for chronic/non-infarction venous thrombosisG08 — Intracranial and intraspinal phlebitis and thrombophlebitis; use for pyogenic (infectious) cerebral venous thrombosisI63.3x — Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of cerebral arteries; arterial, not venous
Code Hierarchy
└I63Cerebral infarction└I63.6Cerebral infarction due to cerebral venous thrombosis, nonpyogenic
└I63.6Cerebral infarction due to cerebral venous thrombosis, nonpyogenic