[Clinical aspects and diagnosis of arterial embolism of the upper extremity].

The upper limb embolus is rarely encountered (upper limb:lower limb emboli 1:4-5). Our problem was to determine in which way the paraclinical investigations influence the operation indication. In 1992, we have seen 10 consecutive patients with an upper limb embolus. The characteristics of our patient group are the advanced age and the cardiovascular morbidity. It was always possible to diagnose the emboli clinically. 7 duplex, 6 Dopplers and 2 angiographies were performed and have confirmed the clinical diagnosis and the clinically suspected localisation of the emboli. All the patients were operated in local anesthesy. An embolectomy with Fogarty catheter was done. After the operation, all our patients were asymptomatic. No amputation was done. We do think that when the clinic is clear enough to diagnose an embolus, no other investigations are necessary to the operation indication.