Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage from l verteb art

This code signifies a spontaneous (nontraumatic) bleeding into the subarachnoid space, specifically originating from the left vertebral artery. This condition is a type of stroke caused by a ruptured aneurysm or other vascular malformation in this particular cerebral artery, leading to blood accumulation around the brain.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a subarachnoid hemorrhage that is not due to trauma, and the source is definitively identified as the left vertebral artery. This typically follows diagnostic imaging such as CT angiography or cerebral angiography confirming the rupture site.

• Ensure documentation specifies "nontraumatic" and precisely identifies the left vertebral artery as the source.
• Distinguish from traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (S06.6-) and subarachnoid hemorrhage from other specified or unspecified arteries.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.