Alcoholic hepatic failure without coma

This code signifies severe liver dysfunction resulting from chronic alcohol abuse, characterized by the liver's inability to perform its essential functions, but without the presence of encephalopathy or loss of consciousness. It represents a critical stage of alcoholic liver disease where the liver is failing.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states alcoholic hepatic failure and clearly indicates the absence of coma. This is typically used for patients presenting with symptoms such as jaundice, ascites, coagulopathy, or gastrointestinal bleeding, where alcohol is identified as the etiology of the liver failure.

• Ensure documentation explicitly rules out hepatic encephalopathy or coma; if present, a more specific code is required.
• Always code an external cause (e.g., F10.20-F10.29) to indicate the pattern of alcohol use disorder, if documented.
• Distinguish from alcoholic cirrhosis with hepatic failure, which has a separate code.