Cereb infrc due to embolism of right middle cerebral artery

This code signifies an ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot originating elsewhere in the body (embolism) that has traveled to and blocked the right middle cerebral artery, leading to brain tissue damage. It specifically identifies the etiology (embolic) and the precise vascular territory affected (right MCA).

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a cerebral infarction resulting from an embolism affecting the right middle cerebral artery. This is typically supported by imaging studies (e.g., MRI, CT scan) confirming infarction and clinical findings consistent with stroke, along with a documented embolic source or strong clinical suspicion.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "embolism" as the cause, not "thrombosis," as these have different code assignments.
• Verify laterality (right) and the specific artery involved (middle cerebral artery) are clearly stated.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, followed by codes for underlying conditions contributing to the embolism (e.g., atrial fibrillation).