Secondary esophageal varices without bleeding

This code signifies the presence of abnormally dilated veins in the esophagus that have developed as a consequence of another underlying condition, typically portal hypertension. These varices are not currently actively bleeding, but their presence indicates a significant risk for future hemorrhage.

Use this code when documentation clearly states the presence of esophageal varices secondary to another condition (e.g., cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis) and explicitly notes that there is no active bleeding. This code is appropriate for surveillance endoscopies or follow-up visits for known varices without acute complications.

• Always sequence the underlying cause of the portal hypertension (e.g., K74.60 for unspecified cirrhosis) before this code.
• Do not use this code if there is any indication of active bleeding; instead, use codes from the I85.0x series.
• Ensure documentation specifies "secondary" esophageal varices; primary esophageal varices are rare and would be coded differently if encountered.