ICD-10 Code I49.02 – Ventricular flutter (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I49.02 – Ventricular flutter
What it is
Ventricular flutter is a very rapid, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia with nearly sinusoidal electrical activity. It reflects chaotic ventricular depolarization that can quickly deteriorate into ventricular fibrillation.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Patients may have sudden collapse, loss of pulse, or severe hemodynamic instability, and ECG findings show a rapid, regular, wide-complex pattern consistent with ventricular flutter.
When to use this code
Use I49.02 when the provider documents ventricular flutter as the confirmed rhythm diagnosis. It is appropriate for emergency, inpatient, or cardiology records when the arrhythmia is specifically identified on ECG or telemetry. Code the documented condition, not a nonspecific arrest rhythm unless the record states ventricular flutter.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, or unspecified cardiac arrest unless ventricular flutter is clearly documented. Check documentation if the rhythm description is incomplete or mixed.
Coding tip
Query if the chart says “wide-complex tachycardia” or “VF/VT” without naming ventricular flutter.