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Question: The neurosurgeon performs a procedure that requires mechanical ventilation. After the surgery, the patient develops “ICU myopathy.” Is the “ICU” portion relevant to the ICD-10-CM code choice?

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Answer: Yes, the intensive care unit, or “ICU,” portion of the description is relevant to the diagnosis. You’ll choose G72.81 (Critical illness myopathy) for this patient.

Alternate terms: While “ICU myopathy” isn’t in the main descriptor for G72.81, it is listed as an alternate term for G72.81, along with:

• Acute necrotizing myopathy
• Acute quadriplegic myopathy
• Myopathy of critical illness

This particular ICD-10-CM code is designed for patients like the one you described. “Critical illness myopathy (CIM) refers to severe muscle weakness that occurs when the patient is in the intensive care unit,” according to Codify. “Critical illness and excessive use of muscle relaxants and corticosteroids leads to CIM, making it difficult to wean the patient from mechanical ventilation.”

Chris Boucher, MS, CPC, Senior Development Editor, AAPC