Anterior cerebral artery syndrome

This code represents a neurological deficit resulting from ischemia or infarction within the distribution of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Patients typically present with contralateral leg weakness, sensory loss, and often behavioral changes such as abulia or akinetic mutism, reflecting damage to the frontal lobe and corpus callosum.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) affecting the anterior cerebral artery territory. This diagnosis is supported by imaging (e.g., MRI, CT) showing infarction in the ACA distribution, coupled with a clinical presentation consistent with ACA syndrome.

• Differentiate from middle cerebral artery (MCA) or posterior cerebral artery (PCA) syndromes, which have distinct clinical presentations and arterial distributions.
• Always code the underlying cause of the stroke (e.g., atherosclerosis, embolism) as a primary diagnosis if known and documented.
• Ensure laterality (left, right, bilateral) is specified if documented, as this can impact subsequent care and rehabilitation planning.