Rheumatic chorea without heart involvement

This code signifies a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, irregular, and unpredictable movements, specifically when it arises as a sequela of rheumatic fever. It indicates that the heart has not been affected by the rheumatic process. This condition is also known as Sydenham's chorea.

Use this code for patients presenting with choreiform movements confirmed to be of rheumatic origin, where cardiac evaluation (e.g., echocardiogram, ECG) has ruled out rheumatic heart disease. Documentation should clearly state "rheumatic chorea" and explicitly mention "without heart involvement" or indicate normal cardiac findings.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states the absence of cardiac involvement; otherwise, a more specific code for rheumatic chorea with heart involvement may be appropriate.
• Do not confuse with other forms of chorea (e.g., Huntington's chorea, drug-induced chorea), which have different underlying etiologies and distinct codes.
• Always sequence this code as a primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, unless another condition is clearly the principal diagnosis.