Cardiology Coding Alert

Test your coding knowledge.  Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Question: Which ICD-9 codes are correct for prior ablation therapy and symptomatic bradycardia as related to AV nodal Wenckebach block?

Nebraska Subscriber

Answer: There is no diagnosis code that describes prior ablation therapy, so the underlying arrhythmia that prompted the initial ablation is considered the primary diagnosis. This diagnosis is reported with ICD-9 code 427.x (cardiac dysrhythmias). The correct ICD-9 code for symptomatic bradycardia associated with AV nodal Wenckebach block is 426.13 (other second-degree atrioventricular block, Wenckebach's phenomenon). This condition is characterized by progressive prolongation of the PR interval causing progressive R-R interval shortening until a P-wave fails to conduct the ventricle.