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  5. Endocarditis, valve unspecified (I38)

Endocarditis, valve unspecified (I38)

The ICD-10 code I38 is used to classify endocarditis, valve unspecified, which refers to inflammation or infection of a heart valve when the exact valve is not specified. This code covers various forms of valve-related heart conditions including valve stenosis, regurgitation, and valvular heart disease complications.

This code encompasses a wide range of conditions often referred to by synonyms such as vegetative endocarditis without infection, culture-negative endocarditis, and nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, helping coders accurately document cases where the specific valve involved is unclear or unspecified. It also includes issues like atrioventricular valve disorders, valvular sclerosis, thrombosis, and complications from heart valve procedures. The ICD-10 code for endocarditis valve unspecified aids in coding complex diagnoses involving valvular inflammation, heart valve regurgitation, stenosis, or related heart failure, facilitating precise medical record-keeping and treatment planning when valve details are not pinpointed.

Instructional Notations

Includes

This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.

  • endocarditis (chronic) NOS
  • valvular incompetence NOS
  • valvular insufficiency NOS
  • valvular regurgitation NOS
  • valvular stenosis NOS
  • valvulitis (chronic) NOS

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

  • congenital insufficiency of cardiac valve NOS Q24.8
  • congenital stenosis of cardiac valve NOS Q24.8
  • endocardial fibroelastosis I42.4
  • endocarditis specified as rheumatic I09.1

Clinical Terms

The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.

Endocarditis

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart (ENDOCARDIUM), the continuous membrane lining the four chambers and HEART VALVES. It is often caused by microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and rickettsiae. Left untreated, endocarditis can damage heart valves and become life-threatening.

Endocarditis, Bacterial

Inflammation of the ENDOCARDIUM caused by BACTERIA that entered the bloodstream. The strains of bacteria vary with predisposing factors, such as CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS; HEART VALVE DISEASES; HEART VALVE PROSTHESIS IMPLANTATION; or intravenous drug use.

Endocarditis, Non-Infective

Formation of a non-infectious THROMBUS, referred to as vegetation, on previously undamaged ENDOCARDIUM. It usually occurs as a complication of connective-tissue diseases and cancers because of the associated hypercoagulable state (see THROMBOPHILIA).

Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial

ENDOCARDIUM infection that is usually caused by STREPTOCOCCUS. Subacute infective endocarditis evolves over weeks and months with modest toxicity and rare metastatic infection.

Eosinophils

Granular leukocytes with a nucleus that usually has two lobes connected by a slender thread of chromatin, and cytoplasm containing coarse, round granules that are uniform in size and stainable by eosin.

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

A heterogeneous group of disorders with the common feature of prolonged eosinophilia of unknown cause and associated organ system dysfunction, including the heart, central nervous system, kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. There is a massive increase in the number of EOSINOPHILS in the blood, mimicking leukemia, and extensive eosinophilic infiltration of the various organs.

Rat-Bite Fever

A syndrome characterized by recurring fever, rash, and arthralgias occurring days to weeks after a rat bite. The causative agents are either Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus.