Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: What are the ICD-10 choices for atrial fibrillation?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: Your ICD-10 options for atrial fibrillation are:

• I48.0,  Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
• I48.1, Persistent atrial fibrillation
• I48.2, Chronic atrial fibrillation
• I48.91, Unspecified atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the atria quiver or fibrillate instead of beating normally.

With atrial fibrillation, the electrical pulse does not begin in the heart's natural pacemaker, the SA node. Instead, it is a very disorganized signal triggered in other areas.

Important: The cardiologist must document if the atrial fibrillation is paroxysmal, persistent, or chronic, if known.

Check out the following general guidelines to help you understand the differences between these three types of atrial fibrillation:

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is recurrent (at least one episode, greater than or equal to 30 seconds in duration), and terminates spontaneously within seven days. Coders may also see this documented as "intermittent."

Persistent atrial fibrillation is sustained and necessitates pharmacologic or electrical cardioversion to stop. You'll find definitions typically refer to persistent atrial fibrillation lasting more than one week.

Chronic atrial fibrillation is continuous (greater than one year in duration). Coders may also see this documented as "permanent."