ICD-10 Code I75 – Atheroembolism (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I75 – Atheroembolism
What it is
Atheroembolism is blockage of small blood vessels by material released from atherosclerotic plaque, usually cholesterol debris. It can reduce blood flow to organs or limbs and cause ischemic injury.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Common findings include sudden ischemic symptoms in the affected area, such as pain, discoloration, or tissue damage, often after an embolic event.
When to use this code
Use I75 when the provider documents atheroembolism, cholesterol embolism, or embolization from atherosclerotic plaque. Code it when the record links the ischemic event to plaque debris rather than a thrombus or other embolic source.
Review the note for the affected site and any associated vascular disease. If documentation only says embolism without identifying atherosclerotic origin, check documentation before assigning I75.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for thromboembolism, fat embolism, or air embolism. Also avoid it when the source is unspecified or the chart does not support an atherosclerotic cause.
Coding tip
Assign I75 only when the provider clearly documents atheroembolism as the cause; otherwise, query for the embolic source.