Short- and long-term outcomes of acute upper extremity arterial thromboembolism.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the short-/long-term outcomes after acute thromboembolism of the upper extremity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients with acute arterial occlusion in the upper extremity were treated from January 1993 to July 2007 at our hospital. Their average age was 73.0, and 14 (66%) were male. The right and left limbs were affected in 15 cases (71%) and 6 cases (29%), respectively. The main associated disease was arrhythmia, in 20 cases (95%), including atrial fibrillation in 17 (81%). The time from onset to operation was 9.7 +/- 9.2 h (range: 2-41 h). All patients underwent thromboembolectomy with a Fogarty catheter.

RESULTS

The symptoms showed regression in all cases after operation, but one patient died from cerebral infarction the following day. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies are commonly prescribed in cases after thromboembolectomy. The free rates of thromboembolism were 74% and 27%, and cumulative actuarial survival rates were 95% and 61% at 1 and 3 years, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Because of the high recurrence rates of thromboembolism, it seems necessary to severe anticoagulant therapy. Upper extremity thromboembolism should also be considered as one manifestation of a systemic embolism.