Chronic pulmonary embolism

This code signifies the presence of a pulmonary embolism that has persisted over an extended period, leading to chronic symptoms and potentially affecting pulmonary circulation. It indicates a long-standing obstruction of the pulmonary arteries by embolic material, often resulting in pulmonary hypertension or right heart strain.

Use this code when documentation clearly states a diagnosis of chronic pulmonary embolism. This typically applies to patients with ongoing symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, or chest pain, where imaging studies (e.g., CT pulmonary angiography) confirm the presence of chronic embolic disease.

• Ensure physician documentation explicitly states "chronic" pulmonary embolism; acute or subacute cases are coded differently.
• Do not code this with Z86.711 (personal history of pulmonary embolism) as per the Excludes1 note; these conditions are mutually exclusive.
• Consider coding associated conditions such as pulmonary hypertension (I27.2x) if documented as a sequela of the chronic embolism.