ICD10BillableValid for clinical use
ICD-10 Code I63.033: Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of bilateral carotid arteries
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
What is this code?
ICD-10 codes are diagnosis classification codes used in healthcare records, reporting, coding workflows, and billing support. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99).
đź“‹Clinical overview
This ICD-10 code is commonly used when documentation describes cerebral infarction attributed to thrombosis of a precerebral artery. The most accurate code depends on whether the record identifies the specific artery and any laterality detail.
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of bilateral carotid arteries in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code can be used as a clinically usable diagnosis entry in standardized coding workflows.
What it does not mean
- A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
- A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
đź©şClinical context
When commonly used
- Stroke, neurology, inpatient, and utilization-review documentation where ischemic stroke is linked to thrombotic disease in a precerebral artery.
- Coding workflows where the chart identifies thrombosis of vertebral, basilar, carotid, unspecified, or another precerebral artery as the mechanism for cerebral infarction.
Common management context
- Evaluation often includes neurologic examination, vascular imaging review, acute-stroke assessment context, and follow-up of ischemic deficits or stroke-risk factors.
- Documentation usually becomes more specific when the chart names the exact precerebral artery and clarifies whether the event is thrombotic rather than embolic or another occlusive pattern.
- Specialist context already linked on this page includes Cardiologist, General Physician, Neurologist, Stroke Specialist.
🔍Key distinctions
Important notes
- These ICD-10 codes describe ischemic stroke attributed to thrombosis of a precerebral artery rather than embolic disease or another unspecified occlusive pattern.
- Specific artery detail such as carotid, vertebral, basilar, or other precerebral involvement can change the final code.
- Laterality matters here because right-sided, left-sided, bilateral, and unspecified-artery involvement are coded separately when the affected vessel is documented more precisely.
- Documentation that attributes cerebral infarction to thrombosis of precerebral arteries is coded differently from infarction due to embolism or unspecified occlusion or stenosis of similar precerebral arteries.
Related codes to consider
I63.031Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of right carotid artery
Related cerebral-infarction ICD-10 code; documentation often becomes more specific when the chart identifies thrombosis versus embolism, the exact artery, laterality, or another occlusive mechanism.
I63.032Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of left carotid artery
Related cerebral-infarction ICD-10 code; documentation often becomes more specific when the chart identifies thrombosis versus embolism, the exact artery, laterality, or another occlusive mechanism.
I63.039Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of unspecified carotid artery
Related cerebral-infarction ICD-10 code; documentation often becomes more specific when the chart identifies thrombosis versus embolism, the exact artery, laterality, or another occlusive mechanism.
Code hierarchy
chapter
9Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99)
block
I60-I69Cerebrovascular diseases
category
I63Cerebral infarction
category
I63.0Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of precerebral arteries
category
I63.03Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of carotid artery
currentI63.03
Where you may see this code
You may see this code in hospital records, discharge summaries, insurance claims, encounter documentation, referrals, or other healthcare billing and coding records.
Related specialists
CardiologistGeneral PhysicianNeurologistStroke Specialist
Related codes
Sibling codes
Coverage-related procedures and services
CPT 82172high
APOLIPOPROTEIN, EACH
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 86141high
C-REACTIVE PROTEIN; HIGH SENSITIVITY (HSCRP)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 83090high
HOMOCYSTEINE
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 83695high
LIPOPROTEIN (A)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 83700high
LIPOPROTEIN, BLOOD; ELECTROPHORETIC SEPARATION AND QUANTITATION
Source: CMS coverage guidance
CPT 83701high
LIPOPROTEIN, BLOOD; HIGH RESOLUTION FRACTIONATION AND QUANTITATION OF LIPOPROTEINS INCLUDING LIPOPROTEIN SUBCLASSES WHEN PERFORMED (EG, ELECTROPHORESIS, ULTRACENTRIFUGATION)
Source: CMS coverage guidance
Coding guidelines
Common synonyms
Cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of bilateral carotid arteries
Frequently asked questions
About this content
This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.