I75.022
BillableAtheroembolism of left 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
Cholesterol crystals or plaque fragments break loose from arteries and lodge in blood vessels of the left leg, restricting blood flow to that limb.
Coding Tips
- •Verify documentation specifies left lower extremity rather than right or bilateral
- •May present with acute limb ischemia symptoms requiring urgent intervention
Clinical Significance
Atheroembolism of the left lower extremity represents cholesterol crystal embolization to the left leg and foot vasculature from proximal atherosclerotic sources. Like right-sided disease, this indicates severe systemic atherosclerosis and carries risk of tissue loss and functional impairment. Laterality-specific coding ensures accurate clinical documentation for treatment planning and risk adjustment.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of atheroembolism affecting the left lower extremity
- ✓Clinical findings specific to the left lower extremity
- ✓Source identification (aortic, iliac atherosclerotic disease)
- ✓Precipitating event documentation when applicable
- ✓Laboratory and pathological findings
- ✓Treatment plan including wound care and systemic management
Commonly Confused Codes
I75.021 — Atheroembolism of right lower extremity: opposite lateralityI75.029 — Atheroembolism of unspecified lower extremity: use left-specific code when documentedI74.3 — Embolism and thrombosis of arteries of the lower extremities: general thromboembolismI70.262 — Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with gangrene, left leg: chronic process, not acute embolism
Code Hierarchy
└I75Atheroembolism└I75.0Atheroembolism of extremities└I75.02Atheroembolism of lower extremity└I75.022Atheroembolism of left lower extremity
└I75.022Atheroembolism of left lower extremity