Stridor

This code represents stridor, a high-pitched, harsh sound produced during respiration due to turbulent airflow through a partially obstructed airway. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis, indicating an underlying issue in the larynx, trachea, or bronchi.

This code is appropriate when documentation explicitly states the presence of stridor, regardless of its etiology. It should be used as a secondary diagnosis when the underlying cause of the airway obstruction is known and coded separately.

• Always code the underlying cause of the stridor first, if identified.
• Do not use this code if the documentation describes wheezing, which is a lower-pitched sound indicative of lower airway obstruction.
• Ensure the physician's documentation clearly distinguishes stridor from other adventitious breath sounds.