Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: I am coding a TTE, and the indication for the test is endocarditis. The physician's conclusions state, in part, "There is posterior mitral annular calcification. There is a small excrescence extending from the calcification on the atrial side. This is chronic compared to former studies." Which ICD-9 code is appropriate?

Codify Member

Answer: Based on the excerpt you provided, the ICD-9 index points to 394.9 (Other and unspecified mitral valve diseases).

If you search "calcification, heart, valve" in the index, it will tell you to "see endocarditis." The entry for "endocarditis, mitral (chronic)" points to 394.9.

Caution: If documentation specifies the cause of the calcification, the index may point to a different code.