[Non-cardiac causes of acute ischemia in the arms]

Among a series of 286 cases of acute ischemia of the upper limb, we analyzed the files of 176 patients (61.5%) with noncardiac ischemia in order to identify the causes and treatment. Trauma was the most frequent cause (126 cases) including trauma of the forearm especially due to stab wounds. Lesions with a subclavian-axillary localization were predominantly due to tear wounds or blunt trauma. We analyzed two groups among the trauma cases: iatrogenic lesions (9 cases) usually resulted from orthopedic surgery (5 cases) or vascular catheterization (3 cases) as well as near-total limb amputations (13) cases. Thrombosis of the subclavian artery occurred in 33 patients; 9 had acute ischemia including 3 due to a cervical rib and 6 due to compression by the rib and the clavicle. Only 4 of these 33 patients suffered ischemia of the hand due to embolization. Acute ischemia was caused by arteriopathy of the hand in 8 patients including 2 volley ball players, 1 baseball player and 3 subjects with occupational microtrauma and 1 with thrombosis of the palmar arch. Finally 1 patient had thrombosis after intravenous drug injection. These files demonstrated the variety of non-cardiac causes of acute ischemia of the upper limb. During the acute phase, we propose locoregional thrombolysis in case of thrombosis and embolectomy for emboli followed by treatment of the casual lesion. An arteriography is essential for correct diagnosis and should include the subclavian artery in the hyperabduction position and the hand. Duplex scanning of the subclavian artery is indicated in case of ischemia of the hand using the Adson, McGowan and Wright maneuvers in order to guide the radiologist for invasive radiography before initiating appropriate treatment.