2025 ICD-10-CM code I70.1
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Diseases of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries - Atherosclerosis of specific arteries Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99) Feed
Atherosclerosis of the renal artery, characterized by fatty and calcium deposits in the renal artery walls, potentially leading to reduced blood flow and kidney damage.
Modifiers are not used with ICD-10 codes.
Medical necessity for diagnostic and treatment procedures related to I70.1 is established through evidence of renal artery stenosis with resulting impairment of renal function (e.g., elevated creatinine, reduced eGFR, symptoms of renal ischemia). Justification should be clearly documented in the medical record.
The clinical responsibility for managing I70.1 includes diagnosis through history, physical examination, and imaging studies (e.g., ultrasound, CT angiography, or renal angiography).Treatment may involve lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise), medication (e.g., antihypertensives, statins), or interventional procedures such as angioplasty or stenting to improve renal artery blood flow.
- Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99)
- I70-I79 (Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries)
In simple words: This code means that there's a buildup of fatty material and calcium in the arteries that supply blood to your kidneys. This buildup can make the arteries narrower, reducing blood flow to the kidneys and potentially harming them.
I70.1, Atherosclerosis of renal artery, signifies the presence of atherosclerotic plaques—deposits of fats and calcium—within the renal arteries.These plaques thicken and harden the arterial walls, narrowing the lumen and potentially restricting blood flow to the kidneys.This reduced perfusion can lead to renal ischemia, impaired kidney function, and potential long-term complications such as chronic kidney disease.The diagnosis necessitates confirmation through imaging studies, such as ultrasound or angiography, which can visualize the extent of arterial stenosis and plaque formation.
Example 1: A 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with elevated creatinine levels and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Renal ultrasound reveals bilateral renal artery stenosis consistent with atherosclerosis. The physician diagnoses I70.1 and initiates medical management with antihypertensive medications and statins., A 72-year-old female experiencing worsening hypertension and flank pain undergoes a renal angiogram, revealing significant stenosis of the right renal artery due to atherosclerosis (I70.1).The interventional cardiologist performs angioplasty with stent placement to restore blood flow., An 80-year-old male with a history of diabetes and hypertension is found to have significantly elevated creatinine and decreased eGFR.Imaging studies (renal ultrasound and CT angiography) reveal severe bilateral renal artery atherosclerosis (I70.1). Due to the extent of disease and poor prognosis for intervention, he is managed conservatively with supportive care.
Detailed patient history including risk factors for atherosclerosis (hypertension, diabetes, smoking, hyperlipidemia, family history), physical examination findings, relevant laboratory data (creatinine, eGFR, lipid profile), and imaging reports (ultrasound, CT angiography, or renal angiography) are crucial for accurate coding of I70.1.
** The severity of atherosclerosis and its impact on renal function vary greatly.Accurate assessment requires a combination of clinical findings and imaging studies.Always ensure that all relevant diagnoses and procedures are documented and coded appropriately.
- Revenue Code: Revenue codes will vary based on the specific services provided (e.g., physician evaluation and management, diagnostic imaging). Consult your payer's guidelines.
- RVU: RVUs are not directly assigned to ICD-10 codes.Reimbursement depends on the procedures and services rendered, which are coded using CPT or HCPCS codes, and the payer's fee schedule.
- Global Days: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
- Payment Status: Active
- Modifier TC rule: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
- Fee Schedule: Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.
- Specialties:Nephrology, Cardiology, Vascular Surgery, Internal Medicine
- Place of Service:Office, Hospital (Inpatient and Outpatient), Ambulatory Surgical Center