ICD10
ICD-10 Code K72.9: Hepatic failure, unspecified
Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 26 May 2026
What is this code?
ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95).
When is it used?
- May be used when a clinician documents hepatic failure, unspecified in a patient's medical record.
- May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
- This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.
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.
- This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.
Code hierarchy
chapter
11Diseases of the digestive system (K00-K95)
block
K70-K77Diseases of liver
category
K72Hepatic failure, not elsewhere classified
currentK72
Where you may see this code
You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.
Related specialists
GastroenterologistGeneral Physician
Related codes
Mapped diagnoses and classifications
SNOMED_CT 89835009high
Atrophy of liver
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 13923006high
Centrilobular hepatic necrosis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 1259465009high
Dementia due to hepatic failure
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 11350001high
Diffuse hepatic necrosis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 708248004high
End stage liver disease
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
SNOMED_CT 55294001high
Focal hepatic necrosis
Source: SNOMED International ICD-10 map
Coding guidelines
Compatibility
Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.
Legacy codes
K72.9
Replacement codes
K72.90 — Hepatic failure, unspecified without comaK72.91 — Hepatic failure, unspecified with coma
Common synonyms
Hepatic failure, unspecifiedHepatic failure
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.