ICD-10 Code I63.23 – Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of carotid arteries (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I63.23 – Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of carotid arteries
What it is
This code identifies an ischemic stroke caused by reduced blood flow from an unspecified blockage or narrowing in the carotid arteries. Use it when the infarction is linked to the carotids, but the record does not specify the exact side or lesion type.
Clinical signs
Findings usually reflect an acute cerebral infarction, such as sudden focal neurologic deficits, speech disturbance, facial droop, or unilateral weakness. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation, imaging, and provider assessment for the documented vascular cause.
When to use this code
Use I63.23 when the provider documents a cerebral infarction due to carotid artery occlusion or stenosis and does not identify whether it is embolic, thrombotic, or on a specific side. It also fits when the chart states carotid disease as the cause of the stroke without further detail.
Apply it only for confirmed infarction, not for transient ischemic attack or carotid stenosis without stroke. If the documentation names a more specific carotid lesion or mechanism, code that instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for carotid stenosis without cerebral infarction, or for stroke from another vascular source. Check documentation if the record supports a different ischemic stroke subtype.
Coding tip
Link the stroke to the documented carotid cause only when the provider clearly states that relationship.