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ICD-10-CM 2027

ICD-10 code for air embolism

T79.0

Air embolism (traumatic)

Header — needs a more specific code

From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Embolism (multiple) (paradoxical) › air (any site) (traumatic)”. Page updated September 29, 2026.

About coding air embolism

The ICD-10-CM code for air embolism is T79.0 (Air embolism (traumatic)). The official index lists 8 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on T79.0.

Within T79 (certain early complications of trauma, not elsewhere classified), T79.0 is specifically for air embolism (traumatic). Related codes cover fat embolism (traumatic) (T79.1), traumatic secondary and recurrent hemorrhage and seroma (T79.2), traumatic shock (T79.4), traumatic anuria (T79.5), traumatic ischemia of muscle (T79.6), traumatic subcutaneous emphysema (T79.7), other early complications of trauma (T79.8), unspecified early complication of trauma (T79.9) and 1 more.

Codes in this range require a 7th character: A for initial encounter, D for subsequent encounter and S for sequela. Use placeholder "X" characters to fill any empty positions before the 7th character.

Don't report T79.0 together with the conditions in its Excludes1 note: air embolism complicating abortion or ectopic or molar pregnancy (O00-O07, O08.2), air embolism complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O88.0), air embolism following infusion, transfusion, and therapeutic injection (T80.0) and air embolism following procedure NEC (T81.7-).

More specific air embolism codes (official index)

  • following
  • abortion
  • ectopic pregnancy O08.2 — Embolism following ectopic and molar pregnancy
  • infusion, therapeutic injection or transfusion T80.0 — Air embolism following infusion, transfusion and therapeutic injection
  • molar pregnancy O08.2 — Embolism following ectopic and molar pregnancy
  • procedure NEC
  • artery T81.719 — Complication of unspecified artery following a procedure, not elsewhere classified
  • mesenteric T81.710 — Complication of mesenteric artery following a procedure, not elsewhere classified
  • renal T81.711 — Complication of renal artery following a procedure, not elsewhere classified
  • specified NEC T81.718 — Complication of other artery following a procedure, not elsewhere classified
  • vein T81.72 — Complication of vein following a procedure, not elsewhere classified
  • in pregnancy, childbirth or puerperium

Don't confuse with (Excludes1 for T79.0)

  • air embolism complicating abortion or ectopic or molar pregnancy (O00-O07, O08.2)
  • air embolism complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O88.0)
  • air embolism following infusion, transfusion, and therapeutic injection (T80.0)
  • air embolism following procedure NEC (T81.7-)

Common questions about air embolism ICD-10 codes

What is the ICD-10 code for air embolism?

T79.0 — Air embolism (traumatic) (a header code; report a more specific subcode). More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: O08.2, T80.0, O08.2, T81.719 and others below.

Is T79.0 billable?

No. T79.0 is a header code. Report one of its more specific subcodes instead.