ICD-10 Code I63.3 – Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of cerebral arteries (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I63.3 – Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of cerebral arteries
What it is
This code identifies an ischemic stroke caused by a blood clot forming in a cerebral artery. Use it when documentation states cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of cerebral arteries.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sudden focal neurologic deficits such as weakness, speech difficulty, facial droop, or vision loss. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation and imaging confirmation when available.
When to use this code
Use I63.3 when the provider documents cerebral infarction from thrombosis of a cerebral artery, including acute stroke notes and discharge diagnoses. Code the documented site and cause as written. If the record instead describes embolism, hemorrhage, or an unspecified stroke type, this code is not appropriate.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for cerebral infarction due to embolism, hemorrhage, or transient ischemic attack. Check documentation if the stroke mechanism is unclear or not specifically stated.
Coding tip
Match the code to the documented stroke mechanism; thrombosis and embolism are not interchangeable.