K55.029

Billable

Acute infarction of small intestine, extent unspecified

HCC Category Mapping

V24HCC 107 — Vascular Disease with Complications

0.450

ESRDHCC 107 — Vascular Disease with Complications

0.000

What This Code Means

Death of tissue in the small intestine due to loss of blood supply, but the specific extent (focal or diffuse) is not documented.

Coding Tips

•This unspecified code should be used only when the extent of infarction cannot be determined from documentation
•Attempt to obtain clarification from the provider regarding the distribution of necrotic tissue

Clinical Significance

Acute infarction of small intestine with unspecified extent indicates established bowel necrosis requiring emergency intervention and intensive care. This diagnosis represents severe vascular disease with tissue death necessitating urgent surgical evaluation and aggressive management.

Documentation Requirements

✓Acute severe abdominal pain onset
✓Imaging confirmation of small bowel infarction
✓Evidence of established tissue necrosis
✓Extent of involvement not clearly specified
✓Emergency surgical evaluation performed
✓Underlying vascular etiology documented
✓Treatment response and complications noted

Commonly Confused Codes

K55.021 — Focal infarction when segmental involvement documented K55.022 — Diffuse infarction when widespread involvement documented K55.019 — Acute ischemia when tissue is still viable K55.1 — Chronic vascular disorders without acute infarction

Code Hierarchy

└K55Vascular disorders of intestine └K55.0Acute vascular disorders of intestine └K55.02Acute infarction of small intestine └K55.029Acute infarction of small intestine, extent unspecified

└K55.029Acute infarction of small intestine, extent unspecified