Rheumatic heart failure

This code signifies heart failure that is a direct consequence of rheumatic fever. It indicates a chronic cardiac condition where the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs, specifically caused by damage to the heart valves or muscle from a previous rheumatic fever infection.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly links the patient's heart failure to a history of rheumatic fever. This typically involves a diagnosis of heart failure in a patient with a confirmed history of rheumatic fever, often with evidence of rheumatic valvular disease. The physician's notes should clearly state "rheumatic heart failure" or "heart failure due to rheumatic fever."

• Ensure the documentation clearly establishes a causal link between rheumatic fever and the heart failure.
• Do not use this code for heart failure due to other etiologies, even if the patient has a history of rheumatic fever without a direct link to the heart failure.
• Code any specific rheumatic valvular diseases (e.g., I05.0 for rheumatic mitral stenosis) as additional diagnoses.