Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of l verteb art

This code signifies an ischemic stroke resulting from a blood clot (thrombosis) specifically obstructing the left vertebral artery, leading to a lack of blood flow and subsequent tissue death in the brain. This type of infarction typically affects the posterior circulation of the brain, potentially impacting areas like the brainstem or cerebellum.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a cerebral infarction caused by thrombosis of the left vertebral artery. This diagnosis is typically supported by imaging studies (e.g., MRI, CT angiography) confirming the infarction and the specific vessel occlusion. Use this code for the initial encounter of an acute stroke.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "thrombosis" and not "embolism" for the occlusion type.
• Verify the laterality is explicitly stated as "left" vertebral artery; otherwise, an unspecified code may be necessary.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis for the acute stroke event.