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I47.9
ICD-10-CM
Wide Complex Tachycardia

Understanding Wide Complex Tachycardia diagnosis, treatment, and documentation is crucial for healthcare professionals. This resource provides information on WCT differential diagnosis, including ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy, and pre-excited tachycardias. Learn about ECG interpretation, clinical features, management strategies, and appropriate ICD-10 coding (I47.9) for accurate medical billing and reporting. Explore best practices for clinical documentation improvement related to WCT and improve your understanding of this complex cardiac arrhythmia.

Also known as

WCT
Broad Complex Tachycardia

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Rapid heart rate with wide QRS complexes on ECG
  • Clinical Signs : Palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, syncope, chest pain
  • Common Settings : Emergency room, critical care, inpatient cardiology

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC I47.9 Coding
I47.9

Paroxysmal tachycardia, unspecified

Rapid, irregular heartbeat starting and stopping suddenly.

I47.2

Ventricular tachycardia

A rapid heartbeat originating in the ventricles of the heart.

I49.01

Supraventricular tachycardia

A rapid heartbeat originating above the ventricles.

R00.0

Tachycardia, unspecified

A general term for a rapid heart rate.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is the WCT regular?

  • Yes

    Is it monomorphic?

  • No

    Is it polymorphic?

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Wide complex tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with aberrancy

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Document onset, duration, and termination characteristics of WCT
  • Record any associated symptoms (e.g., palpitations, syncope, chest pain)
  • Document 12-lead ECG findings consistent with wide complex tachycardia
  • Specify any pre-existing cardiac conditions or medications
  • Document treatment provided and patient response to therapy

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Unspecified WCT

    Coding WCT without specifying type (e.g., SVT with aberrancy, VT) leads to inaccurate DRG assignment and reimbursement.

  • Atrial Fibrillation Miscode

    Miscoding atrial fibrillation with pre-excitation as WCT can impact quality metrics and clinical documentation integrity.

  • Documentation Deficiency

    Lack of clear documentation specifying WCT etiology (e.g., SVT, VT) hinders accurate coding and compliance audits.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • 12-lead ECG crucial for WCT diagnosis: ICD-10 I47.9, R00.0
  • Differentiate VT vs. SVT with aberrancy: Improve CDI, ensure accurate billing
  • Document QRS duration, morphology, axis for proper coding (I47.9, I49.0)
  • Consider pre-existing conditions, meds for correct WCT etiology (Z86.79)
  • Consult cardiology for complex WCT cases: Enhance patient safety, compliance

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • 1. Verify QRS > 120ms (ICD-10 I47.9, I49.01)
  • 2. Assess rhythm regularity (R-R intervals)
  • 3. Identify AV dissociation (irregular cannon A waves)
  • 4. Evaluate for fusion/capture beats (diagnosis aid)

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Wide Complex Tachycardia reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10-CM (I47.9, etc.) and CPT coding (93010, 93040, etc.) for optimal claims processing and minimized denials. Consider ECG and documentation specificity.
  • Quality metrics for WCT focus on timely diagnosis, treatment initiation (adenosine, amiodarone), and rhythm stabilization. Accurate documentation impacts hospital performance scores.
  • WCT management affects core measures like time to first ECG, time to antiarrhythmic administration, and successful conversion to sinus rhythm. Documentation precision is crucial.
  • Appropriate WCT coding and documentation enhance hospital revenue cycle management, improve case mix index (CMI), and support accurate public health reporting.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Document ventricular rate
  • Specify tachycardia type
  • Code underlying cause
  • Consider pre-excitation syndromes
  • Check QRS duration documentation

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with wide complex tachycardia (WCT).  Onset of palpitations was reported as [sudden/gradual] and associated symptoms include [list symptoms e.g., chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, presyncope, diaphoresis, nausea].  Symptoms duration is approximately [duration].  Past medical history includes [list relevant PMH e.g., coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, hypertension, prior myocardial infarction, electrolyte abnormalities such as hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia].  Medications include [list medications].  Family history is significant for [list relevant family history e.g., sudden cardiac death, cardiomyopathy, ion channel disorders].  12-lead ECG demonstrates a wide QRS complex tachycardia with a rate of [heart rate] bpm.  Morphology is consistent with [e.g., right bundle branch block, left bundle branch block, nonspecific intraventricular conduction delay].  Precordial concordance [is/is not] present.  Axis is [axis].  Differential diagnosis includes ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia with aberrancy, and pre-excited tachycardia.  Initial treatment included [e.g., vagal maneuvers, adenosine, intravenous amiodarone, synchronized cardioversion].  Patient responded to [treatment] with conversion to [rhythm e.g., sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation].  Post-conversion ECG shows [ECG findings e.g., normal sinus rhythm, evidence of ischemia, pre-excitation].  Troponin levels were [level].  Electrolyte levels were within normal limits or show [specific electrolyte abnormalities].  The patient is currently [stable/unstable].  Plan is for [e.g., continuous cardiac monitoring, echocardiogram, electrophysiology consult, further investigation for underlying causes].  Discharge medications include [list medications].  Patient education provided on [e.g., medication compliance, symptom recognition, follow-up care].
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