Billable Medical Code for Hepatic Encephalopathy
Diagnosis Code for Reimbursement Claim: ICD-9-CM 572.2
Code will be replaced by October 2015 and relabeled as ICD-10-CM 572.2.
Known As
Hepatic encephalopathy is also known as acute liver failure with coma, alcoholic liver failure w coma, alcoholic liver failure with coma, chronic liver failure w coma, coma due to acute and subacute hepatic failure, hepatic coma, hepatic coma due to alcoholic liver failure, hepatic coma due to chronic hepatic failure, hepatic coma due to hepatitis, hepatic coma due to subacute liver failure, hepatic necrosis and coma due to toxic liver disease, hepatitis w hepatic coma, hepatitis with hepatic coma, and subacute liver failure w coma. This applies to hepatic coma, hepatocerebral intoxication, and portal systemic encephalopathy.
Hepatic Encephalopathy Definition and Symptoms
Hepatic encephalopathy is when brain function worsens due to a liver that is no longer able to remove toxins from the blood correctly. Common causes include infections, low oxygen levels, kidney problems, and shunt placement complications. Symptoms include change in sleep patterns, mental fogginess, poor judgement, personality changes, confusion, fatigue, and difficulty with judgement.