UPPER EXTREMITY ARTERIAL ISCHEMIA

Abstract

SUMMARY: The majority of patients with upper extremity arterial-- ischemia, including those, with hand or digital ischemia, can be diagnosed by a detailed history, physical examination, and a few simple tests. Complex hematologic, irrirnuhologic, and arteriographic investigation is useful in sorting out the more difficult problems. Noninvàsive arterial testing is valuable in con firming the clinical diagnosis and in follow-up of patients on various drug regimens or aftei surgical procedures. It is now recognized that severe hand or digital ischemia is not caused by vasospasm and is almost always due to organic arterial occlusion. Modern techniques have enabled vascular surgeons to .effectively deal with occlusive lesions of the upper extremity, restore function, and in most cases, achieve limb salvage.