Cardiology Coding Alert

Question: Which code applies to nonsustained ventricular tachycardia?

Georgia Subscriber

Answer: According to ICD-9 Coding Clinic (2008, vol. 25, no. 1), 427.1 (Paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia) can apply to either sustained or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.

The Coding Clinic article specifically states that you may report 427.1 for "sustained or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia induced during an [electrophysiologic] EP study."

Tip: When ICD-10 replaces ICD-9 in 2013, the code for ventricular tachycardia will be I47.2 (Ventricular tachycardia). ICD-10 also supplies the distinct code I47.0 (Re-entry ventricular arrhythmia). The re-entry mechanism may cause ventricular tachycardia particularly in patients with structural heart disease. Re-entry means the electrical current travels in a loop rather than in a normal circuit (for a diagram, check out www.washingtonhra.com/42.html).