2025 ICD-10-CM code I44.3
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Other forms of heart disease - Atrioventricular and left bundle-branch block Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99) Feed
Other and unspecified atrioventricular block. This code represents any type of atrioventricular block not otherwise specified.
Medical necessity is established by the presence of symptoms attributable to an atrioventricular block, as confirmed by ECG findings or other diagnostic tests.The severity and clinical impact of the block will determine the necessity of treatment interventions. This code is only used when the documented information is insufficient to code a more specific AV block.
Cardiologists and other physicians involved in diagnosing and managing heart conditions are responsible for this code.The clinical responsibility involves conducting thorough cardiac evaluations including ECG interpretations, identifying the nature of the atrioventricular block, and determining appropriate management strategies such as medication, pacemaker implantation, or further investigations.
In simple words: This code means the doctor found a problem with the heart's electrical system, causing irregular heartbeats.The exact type of problem wasn't specified.
This ICD-10-CM code, I44.3, signifies "Other and unspecified atrioventricular block."It encompasses all forms of atrioventricular block that do not fit the specific criteria for first-degree (I44.0), second-degree (I44.1), or complete (I44.2) atrioventricular block.Atrioventricular block is a heart condition characterized by impaired or delayed electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles, potentially leading to irregular heartbeats and reduced blood flow.This code is used when the specific type of atrioventricular block cannot be determined or is not documented.
Example 1: A 70-year-old patient presents with dizziness and syncope. An ECG reveals an atrioventricular block, but further clarification regarding the degree of block is not available due to poor ECG quality.I44.3 is used., A patient with a history of heart disease is admitted to the hospital with symptoms of bradycardia.Electrocardiogram (ECG) is performed but is inconclusive for defining the exact degree of atrioventricular block. The physician codes I44.3 to indicate an unspecified atrioventricular block., A patient undergoes a cardiac evaluation after experiencing palpitations.The ECG shows an atrioventricular conduction delay, but the exact classification of the block (first, second, or third degree) is unclear after several attempts, hence the use of I44.3.
A well-documented clinical record containing the patient's symptoms, physical examination findings, and electrocardiogram (ECG) results is essential for accurate coding.Specific notes should describe the findings related to atrioventricular conduction, indicating the reason for not being able to specify the degree of the block.If other investigations were performed, these should also be included in the documentation.
** This code is a catch-all for unspecified atrioventricular block and should only be used when a more specific code cannot be determined. It's crucial to ensure that all available clinical information is reviewed to determine if a more precise code is applicable.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Cardiology
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Outpatient Hospital