Management of acute and chronic vascular injuries to the arm and forearm. Indications and technique.

Acute arterial injuries of the upper extremity account for half of civilian arterial injuries in the United States. The great majority of these injuries are due to penetrating trauma, with stab wounds and gunshot wounds being the most common cause. The history of the injury and a careful physical examination will identify most injuries. Arteriography should be performed when a vascular injury is suspected but not confirmed by physical examination. Reconstruction of critical vascular lesions is essential for restoration of flow distally. Noncritical lesions may be repaired in most cases, with long-term patency rates averaging 50% to 68%. Although amputation is uncommon after upper-extremity vascular injury, long-term disability can be significant in those patients with concomitant nerve injury. Chronic upper-extremity ischemia may be secondary to atherosclerotic occlusive disease, aneurysms, or arteriovenous fistulas. Angiography will delineate the diseased or occluded arterial segment, allowing bypass to be successful in more than 90% of cases. With careful attention to proper diagnosis and treatment, good to excellent long-term relief of symptoms can be obtained.