Right heart failure, unspecified

This code signifies the heart's inability to effectively pump blood to the lungs, leading to a backup of blood in the systemic circulation. It specifically indicates that the right ventricle is failing, without further specification of the underlying cause or type.

Assign this code when documentation explicitly states "right heart failure" without additional details regarding its etiology (e.g., acute, chronic, due to left heart failure). It is appropriate when the physician has diagnosed right heart failure but has not specified the type or cause.

• Do not use this code if the documentation specifies the type of right heart failure (e.g., acute, chronic, or due to left heart failure); instead, use a more specific code from the I50.81 subcategory.
• Always review the entire medical record for any further clarification of the right heart failure type or cause before assigning this unspecified code.
• This code should be sequenced as a principal diagnosis when it is the primary reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis when it coexists with another condition.