I70.412

HCC Category Mapping

What This Code Means

This condition occurs when fatty deposits build up inside a vein graft that was surgically placed to bypass a blocked artery in the left leg, causing pain or cramping in the leg during walking that goes away with rest. The narrowing of the graft reduces blood flow to the leg muscles during activity.

Coding Tips

• •Verify the graft type is autologous vein (not synthetic) and confirm laterality is left leg before assigning this code
• •Ensure documentation specifies intermittent claudication symptoms; if the patient has different symptoms (rest pain, ulceration, gangrene), a different 5th or 6th character would be required

Clinical Significance

This code identifies atherosclerosis in autologous vein bypass grafts with intermittent claudication, where exertional leg pain occurs due to insufficient blood flow during activity. Claudication in bypass grafts indicates developing graft stenosis or disease progression proximal or distal to the graft. While less acute than rest pain or ulceration, this condition impacts functional status and predicts future vascular events, making it relevant for risk adjustment.

Documentation Requirements

• ✓Documentation of peripheral arterial disease or atherosclerosis affecting the bypass graft
• ✓Identification of graft type as autologous vein (if autologous vein is confirmed, document the vein source; if type is unknown, document it as unspecified)
• ✓Laterality clearly stated as left leg
• ✓Claudication symptoms described (pain with walking, relieved by rest)
• ✓Walking distance at onset of symptoms when available
• ✓Ankle-brachial index or vascular imaging results supporting the diagnosis
• ✓History of bypass graft surgery with date and indication when available

Commonly Confused Codes