Ventricular fibrillation

This code represents a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia characterized by rapid, chaotic electrical activity in the ventricles, leading to ineffective ventricular contraction and cessation of blood flow. It is a form of cardiac arrest requiring immediate medical intervention.

Assign this code when documentation explicitly states ventricular fibrillation as the patient's condition. This is typically encountered in emergency settings, during resuscitation efforts, or as the cause of sudden cardiac arrest. Supporting documentation includes ECG findings, physician notes detailing the rhythm, and resuscitation records.

• Do not confuse with other ventricular arrhythmias like ventricular tachycardia; ensure documentation specifies fibrillation.
• Always sequence this code as the principal diagnosis when it is the reason for the admission or encounter.
• Consider additional codes for underlying causes (e.g., acute myocardial infarction) or associated conditions.