O88.03 Air embolism in the puerperium

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026. Acts as a Major Complication or Comorbidity (MCC) as a secondary diagnosis.

Applies from O88 Obstetric embolism

Excludes1 (never code together)

• embolism complicating abortion NOS (O03.2)
• embolism complicating ectopic or molar pregnancy (O08.2)
• embolism complicating failed attempted abortion (O07.2)
• embolism complicating induced abortion (O04.7)
• embolism complicating spontaneous abortion (O03.2, O03.7)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 769 in MDC 14.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 673.02 Obstetrical air embolism, delivered, with mention of postpartum complication (approximate)
• 673.04 Obstetrical air embolism, postpartum condition or complication (approximate)

Medicare Code Edits (MCE v43.1 (April 2026))

• Maternity diagnoses (age 9 through 64): Age conflict edit. These diagnoses are clinically expected only in patients age 9 through 64.

Code annotations containing back-references to O88.03

Back-references to O88.0

• Type 1 Excludes: T79.0 Air embolism (traumatic) ("air embolism complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O88.0)")

Back-references to O88

• Type 2 Excludes: I26 Pulmonary embolism ("pulmonary embolism complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O88.-)")
• Code First: I74 Arterial embolism and thrombosis ("embolism and thrombosis complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O88.-)")
• Type 2 Excludes: O22 Venous complications and hemorrhoids in pregnancy ("obstetric pulmonary embolism (O88.-)")
• Type 2 Excludes: O87 Venous complications and hemorrhoids in the puerperium ("obstetric embolism (O88.-)")
• Type 2 Excludes: O99.4 Diseases of the circulatory system complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium ("obstetric embolism (O88.-)")
• Type 1 Excludes: T81.7 Vascular complications following a procedure, not elsewhere classified ("embolism complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O88.-)")

Diagnosis Index entries for O88.03

• Embolism (multiple) (paradoxical) › obstetric (in) (pulmonary) › puerperal › air

Nearby codes

• O88.011 Air embolism in pregnancy, first trimester
• O88.012 Air embolism in pregnancy, second trimester
• O88.013 Air embolism in pregnancy, third trimester
• O88.019 Air embolism in pregnancy, unspecified trimester
• O88.02 Air embolism in childbirth
• O88.03 Air embolism in the puerperium (this code)
• O88.1 Amniotic fluid embolism
• O88.11 Amniotic fluid embolism in pregnancy
• O88.111 Amniotic fluid embolism in pregnancy, first trimester
• O88.112 Amniotic fluid embolism in pregnancy, second trimester
• O88.113 Amniotic fluid embolism in pregnancy, third trimester