I75.023
BillableAtheroembolism of bilateral lower extremities
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 both legs simultaneously.
Coding Tips
- •Confirm bilateral involvement is explicitly documented before assigning this code
- •Associated with significant systemic atherosclerotic burden
Clinical Significance
Atheroembolism of bilateral lower extremities indicates a widespread cholesterol embolic shower affecting both legs, typically from a significant aortic or iliac source. Bilateral involvement suggests a major embolic event with higher morbidity, often associated with multi-organ involvement including renal and gastrointestinal atheroembolism. This presentation carries a poorer prognosis than unilateral disease.
Documentation Requirements
- ✓Documentation of bilateral lower extremity atheroembolism
- ✓Clinical findings in both lower extremities
- ✓Proximal source identification
- ✓Precipitating event (often procedural or anticoagulation-related)
- ✓Multi-organ involvement assessment (renal function, gastrointestinal symptoms, skin findings)
- ✓Comprehensive treatment plan addressing bilateral disease and systemic effects
Commonly Confused Codes
Code Hierarchy
└I75Atheroembolism└I75.0Atheroembolism of extremities└I75.02Atheroembolism of lower extremity└I75.023Atheroembolism of bilateral lower extremities
└I75.023Atheroembolism of bilateral lower extremities