Cerebral infrc due to thombos of left middle cerebral artery

This code signifies an ischemic stroke resulting from a blood clot obstructing the left middle cerebral artery. This occlusion leads to a lack of blood flow and subsequent tissue death in the brain region supplied by this artery.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states a cerebral infarction caused by thrombosis specifically affecting the left middle cerebral artery. This diagnosis is typically confirmed by imaging studies (e.g., MRI, CT scan) showing an infarct and often supported by neurological examination findings consistent with left MCA territory stroke.

• Ensure documentation specifies "thrombosis" as the cause, not an embolism, as different codes exist for embolic strokes.
• Verify the laterality is explicitly stated as "left" middle cerebral artery; codes exist for right and unspecified sides.
• Do not use this code for transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or for cerebral infarctions due to other specified or unspecified arteries.