(2022) How To Code Pericardial Effusion ICD 10 – List With Codes & Guidelines

This article will outline the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and the ICD 10 CM code for Pericardial Effusion.

Pericardial Effusion ICD 10 Causes

Pericardial Effusion ICD 10 can be caused by an inflammation of the pericardial sac (pericarditis) in response to disease or injury. It can occur when the flow of pericardial fluid is blocked by blood that has accumulated in the pericardium, such as after breast trauma. If the cause cannot be determined, idiopathic pericarditis (i.e. Inflammation of the heart muscle) can occur. Many patients with small pericardial effusions have no symptoms.

The pericardium is stretched to absorb the excess fluid. Signs and symptoms only occur when a large amount of fluid has accumulated over time. When symptoms appear they are the result of compression of surrounding structures such as the lungs, stomach and the phrenic nerve (the nerve that connects the diaphragm). The disease is usually detected when a chest X-ray, computed tomography or echocardiogram is performed for this reason. Symptoms can also occur with diastolic heart failure, when the heart is unable to relax during contractions due to additional compression.

Pericardial Effusion ICD 10 Symptoms

Symptoms of a pericardial effusion ICD 10 include chest pressure, pain, shortness of breath, nausea, abdominal pain and difficulty swallowing. Symptoms of pericardial effusions caused by heart tamponade can include blue coloured lips and skin, shock and changes in mental state.

Heart tamponade is a severe compression of the heart that impairs its ability to function normally. It can lead to a pericardial effusion ICD 10, which can be a life-threatening medical emergency requiring urgent drainage of fluids.

Pericardial effusion ICD 10 cannot be found in the physical. The cause of the symptoms may be discovered as a result of routine examinations that are abnormal. A doctor may hear abnormal noises in the heart that indicate inflammation.

Pericardial Effusion ICD 10 Diagnosis

In order to diagnose Pericardial Effusion ICD 10, electrodes are placed on the chest to track the electrical activity of the heart. The heart is drawn against each other and enlarged. A certain pattern of ECG signals a pericardial effusion ICD 10, and inflammation can result.

In case of suspicion, the best test for confirmation is an echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart), where the doctor can see if there is excess fluid. Pericardial effusion ICD 10 can be identified by its size and severity (figure). Here are some signs of a pericardial effusion ICD 10.

Usually it is small enough not to cause serious problems. But if it is big enough, it can compress the heart and hinder its ability to pump blood. This condition, known as heart tamponade, can be life-threatening.

Pericardial Effusion ICD 10 Treatment

Treatment of pericardial effusion ICD 10 depends on the amount of fluid and the underlying cause why a patient is likely to develop a heart tamponade. To find out the cause of the effusion, a doctor takes a sample of the pericardial fluid. In a procedure known as pericardiocentesis, the doctor inserts a needle into the breast to enter the pericardia and extract the fluid.

If the patient does not have a tamponade or there is no immediate danger, the doctor can prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pericardium inflammation (aspirin, aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) such as Indometacin, Indocin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB or other colchicines) or colcrys or corticosteroids such as Prednisone. Treat the cause of the pericardial effusion ICD 10 and correct the effusion. Anti-inflammatory treatment alone will not correct pericardial effusions but if the patient is likely to get tampons, the cardiologist might recommend one of the following procedures to drain the fluid and prevent it from accumulating.

The doctor can enter with a needle the pericardial cavity and use a small tube (catheter) to drain fluids in a procedure called pericardiocentesis. The doctor may use echocardiography (a type of X-ray called fluoroscopy) to guide the catheter into the correct position.

In most cases, the catheter is left in place and drained from the area for a few days to prevent fluid from accumulating. Bleeding from the pericardium during recent heart surgery or other complications during open heart surgery can be done by draining the area to repair the damage. The surgeon creates a passage through which the fluid can flow into the abdominal cavity, where it can be absorbed.

Surgical removal of part of the pericardial sac (pericardictomy) is reserved for people with recurrent pericardial effusion ICD 10 and catheter drainage. A balloon pericardiotomy is performed, a procedure in which a balloon inserted into a pericardial layer is inflated and stretched.

ICD 10 Code For Pericardial Effusion

ICD 10 CM I31.3: Pericardial Effusion (noninflammatory)

Including:

• Chylopericardium

Excluding:

• Acute pericardial effusion – instead use code I30.9