I26.9 Pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

ICD-10-CM I26.9: Pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale

ICD-10-CM code I26.9 represents pulmonary embolism without acute cor pulmonale, classifying it as a disease or syndrome under the parent category I26. Acute pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition where a blood clot obstructs the pulmonary arteries. This code is distinct from codes specifying cor pulmonale or saddle embolus. 1 2 4

Plain-language overview

Acute pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot arising from a different area obstructs the pulmonary arteries. 2

What this code represents

Code I26.9 is used when a pulmonary embolism occurs without causing acute cor pulmonale, distinguishing it from code I26.0 which includes right-sided heart failure. 4 5

The terminology record classifies I26.9 as an active concept with the semantic type of disease or syndrome, and it has no narrower concepts in the terminology. 1

Coding details

The I26 code family splits into two main branches: codes with acute cor pulmonale and codes without it, with I26.9 serving as the parent subcategory for cases without it. 5

The I26.9 branch includes more specific billable codes such as I26.90 for septic pulmonary embolism and I26.92 for saddle embolus, both without acute cor pulmonale. 4 5

Documentation considerations

Assigning I26.9 when an echocardiogram shows right ventricular dilatation without attending documentation of acute cor pulmonale creates defensibility issues during audits. 5

Coverage and utilization context

The I26.9 branch codes pulmonary embolism without cor pulmonale, leading to diagnosis-related group 176 or 177 based on comorbidities for utilization grouping. 5

What the sources add

While clinical literature outlines identifying features and diagnostic imaging for acute pulmonary embolism, the terminology record establishes the official hierarchical classification for code I26.9. 1 2

A coding reference identifies I26.9 as a non-billable parent code, whereas another reference cites it directly while describing its subcategories for septic and saddle emboli. 4 5

Sources

1. ICD-10-CM I26.9 terminology record — National Cancer Institute Enterprise Vocabulary Services; accessed 2026-07-27.
2. Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
3. EVS Explore — evsexplore.semantics.cancer.gov; accessed 2026-07-27.
4. Pulmonary Embolism ICD-10-CM Codes — carepatron.com; accessed 2026-07-27.
5. ICD-10 Code I26: Acute Pulmonary Embolism (2026) — pabau.com; accessed 2026-07-27.