ICD-10 Code I63.522 – Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of left anterior cerebral artery (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I63.522 – Cerebral infarction due to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of left anterior cerebral artery
What it is
This code identifies an ischemic stroke affecting the left anterior cerebral artery territory when the vessel is narrowed or blocked, but the cause is not further specified. It documents cerebral infarction in that arterial distribution.
Clinical signs
Findings may include sudden weakness or sensory loss, often greater in the leg than the arm, along with impaired gait or speech changes. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents cerebral infarction linked to unspecified occlusion or stenosis of the left anterior cerebral artery. It fits confirmed ischemic stroke cases in that vascular territory when no more specific cause is recorded.
Choose it from imaging, neurology, or discharge documentation that names the left anterior cerebral artery and does not identify embolism, thrombosis, or another etiology. Check documentation if the arterial side or mechanism is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use it for transient ischemic attack, hemorrhagic stroke, or infarction in a different cerebral artery territory. Do not code it when the record specifies a more exact occlusion or stenosis cause.
Coding tip
Verify both laterality and mechanism in the chart; unspecified occlusion or stenosis should be coded only when the documentation does not name a more precise cause.