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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
Acute arterial thrombosis in the very young
E L Chaikof1, T F Dodson, A A Salam
1Joseph B. Whitehead Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
Insights
Surgery for acute arterial thrombosis in infants is safe but has limited success. Thrombectomy can restore pulses in over half of affected limbs, but long-term results are often insufficient.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Acute arterial thrombosis in infants under six months is rare.
- Iatrogenic causes are the primary concern in this patient population.
- Early diagnosis is crucial for limb salvage.
Observation:
- Seven infants with nine ischemic limbs underwent surgical intervention.
- Infants were neonates to 5.5 months old, weighing under 5 kg.
- Diagnosis relied on clinical signs and absence of Doppler signals.
Findings:
- Various thrombectomy techniques were employed, including aortoiliac and femoral artery procedures.
- Restoration of palpable pulses occurred in 56% of limbs, with Doppler signals in others.
- No limb loss was reported, but long-term patency after thrombectomy was variable.
Implications:
- Thrombectomy is a feasible surgical option for infant arterial thrombosis.
- Surgical outcomes require careful consideration due to potential for incomplete or non-durable success.
- Further research into optimizing surgical techniques and long-term management is warranted.
Abstract:
The case records of all infants under the age of 6 months who underwent surgery for acute arterial thrombosis between January 1980 and September 1991 were reviewed. Seven infants (nine ischemic limbs) were identified and ranged in age from 5 days to 5 1/2 months (mean 2.4 months); all weighed less than 5 kg (mean 3.9 kg). The cause in each case was iatrogenic. Diagnosis was based on the presence of a cool, mottled extremity associated with the absence of insonated peripheral arterial Doppler signals. Treatment included aortoiliac thrombectomy (n = 2), femoral artery thrombectomy with primary closure (n = 4), femoral artery thrombectomy with autogenous saphenous vein patch (n = 1), and axillary artery thrombectomy with end-to-end anastomosis (n = 1). Palpable pulses were restored in five (56%) of nine limbs and Doppler signals in the remaining limbs. There were no instances of limb loss. Excluding aortoiliac thrombectomy, palpable peripheral pulses were reestablished in only 40% of extremities. Thrombectomy is a safe and simple procedure in even the very youngest of patients with arterial insufficiency, but surgical optimism should be tempered by frequent inability to achieve full and durable success.
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