I75.011
BillableAtheroembolism of right upper extremity
HCC Category Mapping
V28HCC 264 — Vascular Disease with Complications
0.356V24HCC 107 — Vascular Disease with Complications
0.450ESRDHCC 107 — Vascular Disease with Complications
0.000What This Code Means
Cholesterol crystals or plaque fragments break loose from arteries and lodge in blood vessels of the right arm, restricting blood flow to that limb.
Coding Tips
- •Verify documentation specifies right upper extremity to distinguish from bilateral or left-sided involvement
- •Look for associated atherosclerotic disease documentation to support medical necessity
Clinical Significance
Atheroembolism of the right upper extremity occurs when cholesterol crystals and atherosclerotic debris embolize from a proximal source (typically the aorta) to the digital arteries of the right arm or hand. This can cause blue toe/finger syndrome, livedo reticularis, or digital gangrene. It is a marker of severe proximal atherosclerotic disease and carries significant morbidity.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of atheroembolism (cholesterol embolism) affecting the right upper extremity
- ✓Clinical findings (blue finger syndrome, livedo reticularis, digital ischemia, gangrene)
- ✓Identification of the embolic source when possible (aortic atherosclerotic disease)
- ✓Precipitating event if identified (vascular procedure, anticoagulation initiation)
- ✓Laboratory findings (eosinophilia, elevated creatinine, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
- ✓Treatment plan and tissue viability assessment
Commonly Confused Codes
I75.012 — Atheroembolism of left upper extremity: opposite lateralityI75.019 — Atheroembolism of unspecified upper extremity: use right-specific code when laterality is documentedI74.2 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the upper extremities: general thromboembolism rather than specifically atheroembolismI75.021 — Atheroembolism of right lower extremity: different extremity
Code Hierarchy
└I75Atheroembolism└I75.0Atheroembolism of extremities└I75.01Atheroembolism of upper extremity└I75.011Atheroembolism of right upper extremity
└I75.011Atheroembolism of right upper extremity