ICD-10 Code I63.012 – Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of left vertebral artery (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I63.012 – Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of left vertebral artery
What it is
This code identifies an ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot blocking the left vertebral artery. The blockage reduces blood flow to part of the brain, leading to cerebral infarction.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Common findings in posterior circulation stroke include dizziness, vertigo, gait imbalance, visual disturbance, dysarthria, or unilateral weakness.
When to use this code
Use I63.012 when the provider documents cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of the left vertebral artery. The record should support both the infarction and the arterial source. If the laterality or cause is not clearly documented, check documentation before coding.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for vertebral artery stenosis without infarction, embolic stroke, or infarction from another vessel. If the chart does not specify thrombosis of the left vertebral artery, check documentation.
Coding tip
Verify that the stroke is documented as thrombotic and left-sided before assigning I63.012.