ICD-10-CM 2027
ICD-10 code for cardiac arrest
From the official ICD-10-CM alphabetic index entry “Arrest, arrested › cardiac”. Page updated September 29, 2026.
About coding cardiac arrest
The ICD-10-CM code for cardiac arrest is I46.9 (Cardiac arrest, cause unspecified). The official index lists 11 more specific codes, so check the documentation for details such as type, cause, site or severity before settling on I46.9.
Within I46, choose I46.9 (cause unspecified) only when documentation doesn't support a more specific option: due to underlying cardiac condition (I46.2) and due to other underlying condition (I46.8).
As a secondary diagnosis it is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity), which can move an inpatient stay into the highest-paying "with MCC" MS-DRG of its family, unless the principal diagnosis excludes it.
In MS-DRG v44.0, it is part of the grouping logic for DRG 296 (Cardiac Arrest, Unexplained with MCC, relative weight 1.4991), DRG 297 (Cardiac Arrest, Unexplained with CC, relative weight 0.7776), DRG 298 (Cardiac Arrest, Unexplained without CC/MCC, relative weight 0.4946), DRG 791 (Prematurity with Major Problems, relative weight 4.1075) and DRG 793 (Full Term Neonate with Major Problems, relative weight 4.2195), in MDC 05 (Diseases and Disorders of the Circulatory System) and MDC 15 (Newborns and Other Neonates with Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period), as a principal or secondary diagnosis. The DRG a claim lands in depends on the principal diagnosis, procedures and any CC/MCC secondary diagnoses.
More specific cardiac arrest codes (official index)
- complicating
- abortion
- anesthesia (general) (local) or other sedation
- in labor and delivery O74.2 — Cardiac complications of anesthesia during labor and delivery
- in pregnancy O29.11 — Cardiac arrest due to anesthesia during pregnancy
- postpartum, puerperal O89.1 — Cardiac complications of anesthesia during the puerperium
- delivery (cesarean) (instrumental) O75.4 — Other complications of obstetric surgery and procedures
- due to
- cardiac condition I46.2 — Cardiac arrest due to underlying cardiac condition
- specified condition NEC I46.8 — Cardiac arrest due to other underlying condition
- intraoperative I97.71 — Intraoperative cardiac arrest
- newborn P29.81 — Cardiac arrest of newborn
- personal history, successfully resuscitated Z86.74 — Personal history of sudden cardiac arrest
- postprocedural I97.12 — Postprocedural cardiac arrest
- obstetric procedure O75.4 — Other complications of obstetric surgery and procedures
Common questions about cardiac arrest ICD-10 codes
What is the ICD-10 code for cardiac arrest?
- I46.9 — Cardiac arrest, cause unspecified. More specific codes apply when the documentation supports them: O74.2, O29.11, O89.1, O75.4 and others below.
What is the ICD-10 code for intraoperative cardiac arrest?
- I97.71 — Intraoperative cardiac arrest (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
What is the ICD-10 code for newborn cardiac arrest?
- P29.81 — Cardiac arrest of newborn.
What is the ICD-10 code for postprocedural cardiac arrest?
- I97.12 — Postprocedural cardiac arrest (header code; choose a more specific subcode).
Is I46.9 billable?
- Yes. I46.9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code valid for FY2027 (October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027).
Can I46.9 be used as a principal diagnosis?
- Yes. The Medicare Code Editor doesn't restrict I46.9 as a principal diagnosis.
Is I46.9 a CC or MCC?
- I46.9 is an MCC (major complication or comorbidity) under MS-DRG v44.0, unless excluded by the principal diagnosis.