ICD-10 Code I63.212 – Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of left vertebral artery (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I63.212 – Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of left vertebral artery
What it is
This code identifies an ischemic stroke caused by blockage or narrowing of the left vertebral artery, with the exact mechanism not specified. It applies when the infarction is documented as affecting the brain from left vertebral artery occlusion or stenosis.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include acute focal neurologic deficits consistent with posterior circulation stroke, such as dizziness, ataxia, visual disturbance, dysarthria, or limb weakness. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use I63.212 when the provider documents cerebral infarction linked to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of the left vertebral artery. It is appropriate when the record confirms an ischemic infarct and laterality is left, but does not specify embolism or a more exact cause. Check documentation if the arterial lesion is described differently or if the stroke is coded elsewhere.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or infarction from a clearly documented embolic source. If the documentation names a different vertebral artery side or a more specific occlusion type, select the matching code.
Coding tip
Confirm both the infarction and the left-sided vertebral artery involvement in the provider note before assigning this code.