I75.021
BillableAtheroembolism of right lower 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
A blood clot or plaque fragment from an artery has broken loose and lodged in a blood vessel of the right leg, blocking blood flow to that area. This is a serious condition that can cause pain, tissue damage, or loss of limb function if not treated promptly.
Coding Tips
- •Verify documentation specifies the RIGHT lower extremity, as laterality is required for accurate coding; if bilateral, code both sides separately with appropriate laterality indicators
- •Confirm the clinical documentation distinguishes between atheroembolism (plaque/cholesterol emboli) and other types of emboli; review imaging or pathology reports to support the diagnosis
Clinical Significance
Atheroembolism of the right lower extremity is the most common presentation of cholesterol embolization syndrome, often manifesting as blue toe syndrome, livedo reticularis, or digital gangrene in the right foot and leg. It typically originates from aortic or iliac atherosclerotic disease and may be triggered by vascular procedures or anticoagulation. This condition indicates severe systemic atherosclerosis.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of atheroembolism affecting the right lower extremity
- ✓Clinical findings (blue toe syndrome, livedo reticularis, digital gangrene, painful nodules)
- ✓Source identification (abdominal aortic or iliac atherosclerotic disease)
- ✓Precipitating event if applicable (angiography, vascular surgery, anticoagulation)
- ✓Laboratory findings (eosinophilia, elevated creatinine, elevated lactate dehydrogenase)
- ✓Tissue viability assessment and treatment plan
Commonly Confused Codes
I75.022 — Atheroembolism of left lower extremity: opposite lateralityI75.029 — Atheroembolism of unspecified lower extremity: use right-specific code when documentedI74.3 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the lower extremities: general thromboembolism, not specifically cholesterol-basedI70.261 — Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with gangrene, right leg: chronic atherosclerotic gangrene, not embolic
Code Hierarchy
└I75Atheroembolism└I75.0Atheroembolism of extremities└I75.02Atheroembolism of lower extremity└I75.021Atheroembolism of right lower extremity
└I75.021Atheroembolism of right lower extremity