Acute infarction of large intestine, extent unspecified

This diagnosis code signifies a sudden and severe blockage of blood flow to a segment of the large intestine, leading to tissue death (infarction). The specific portion of the large intestine affected is not documented, nor is the precise cause of the infarction. This condition typically presents with acute abdominal pain, tenderness, and potentially gastrointestinal bleeding.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates an acute large bowel infarction, but the medical record does not specify the exact anatomical location (e.g., cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon). This code is appropriate when the extent of the infarction is not further detailed by the provider.

• Do not use this code if the specific segment of the large intestine affected by the infarction is documented (e.g., K55.041 for cecum).
• Ensure documentation specifies "acute" to differentiate from chronic ischemic colitis (K55.1).
• Consider sequencing this code as a principal diagnosis if it is the primary reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis if it is a co-morbidity.