What is the correct code for left heart failure?

The correct code for left heart failure is I50.1, which specifically identifies heart failure with a left heart component. In the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), coding for heart failure is vital for capturing the precise nature of the patient's condition.

I50.1 designates left ventricular heart failure, indicating that the failure is primarily related to the left side of the heart, which is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body. This specification is essential for treatment protocols and clinical documentation, as the management for left heart failure may differ from right heart failure or congestive heart failure due to other reasons.

Other codes in the choices relate to different types of heart failure or conditions that involve heart disease. Codes like I50.9 represent heart failure, unspecified, which does not capture the specific nature of left heart failure. I11.9 pertains to hypertensive heart disease without heart failure, indicating that hypertension is present but not specifically tied to heart failure. Similarly, I12.8 relates to hypertensive heart and chronic kidney disease, without a direct reference to left heart failure. Thus, utilizing I50.1 is crucial for accurately documenting and managing a patient's left heart failure diagnosis.