BETA v.3.0

2025 ICD-10-CM code I70.0

Atherosclerosis of the aorta.

Use additional codes to identify any associated conditions, such as hypertension (I10), hyperlipidemia (E78.5), and tobacco use (Z72.0).If the atherosclerosis affects specific arteries other than the aorta, use the appropriate code (e.g., I70.1 for renal artery atherosclerosis).

Medical necessity for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis of the aorta is established by the presence of signs, symptoms, or abnormal diagnostic findings consistent with the condition.Treatment is medically necessary when it aims to prevent or manage complications such as aneurysm, peripheral artery disease, and stroke.

Diagnosis and management of atherosclerosis of the aorta, including assessing risk factors, ordering appropriate tests, and recommending lifestyle modifications or medical interventions.

In simple words: Hardening and narrowing of the aorta due to plaque buildup.

Atherosclerosis of the aorta. This includes conditions such as arteriolosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, atheroma, arterial degeneration, arteriovascular degeneration, senile arteritis, and senile endarteritis.

Example 1: A 65-year-old male with hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents with chest pain. Imaging reveals atherosclerosis of the aorta., A 70-year-old female with a history of smoking experiences leg pain while walking.Examination reveals diminished pulses in the lower extremities and a diagnosis of atherosclerosis of the aorta with peripheral arterial disease is made., During a routine checkup, an asymptomatic 55-year-old male is found to have a widened mediastinum on chest x-ray. A CT scan confirms atherosclerosis of the aorta with an aneurysm.

Documentation should include the patient's symptoms, relevant medical history (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking), physical examination findings (e.g., diminished pulses, bruits), and results of imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan, angiography) confirming the diagnosis.

** Excludes1: arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (I25.1-), arteriosclerotic heart disease (I25.1-), atheroembolism (I75.-), cerebral atherosclerosis (I67.2), coronary atherosclerosis (I25.1-), mesenteric atherosclerosis (K55.1), precerebral atherosclerosis (I67.2), and primary pulmonary atherosclerosis (I27.0)

  • Specialties:Cardiology, Vascular Surgery, Internal Medicine, Family Medicine
  • Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital,Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home, Telehealth Provided Other than in Patient’s Home
** Only Enterprise users with EHR integration can access case-specific answers. Click here to request access.