Arterial embolectomies in the upper extremity after acute occlusion. Report on 79 cases

Between 1970 and 1981 a total of 79 surgical interventions were performed for acute ischemia of the upper extremities. The cause of occlusion in 70 patients was an arterial embolism, mainly affecting the brachial or radial artery. Embolectomy was successful in restoring the patency of the occluded vessel, regardless of its location or the duration of the occlusion. In 8 patients the cause of occlusion was an arterial thrombosis. The results after surgery varied, in 4 patients an amputation was necessary whilst 2 patients underwent successful bypass operations. One patient had angiospasm after osteosynthesis of a humerus fracture. The mean age was 67 years, the hospital mortality amounted to 12%. After embolectomy, the function and pulse condition of the treated extremity was excellent in the 51 patients still alive.