An etiological analysis of upper limb arterial occlusion disease and combined interventional therapy

Objective: A study of the etiology and treatment of upper limb arterial occlusion disease. Methods: In total 22 patients, who were admitted in the hospital as 'upper limb pulselessness', were enrolled in the study. Arterial angiography was performed in 20 patients. Thrombus pumping and retained catheter thrombolysis were performed in 14 cases out of 20, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed in 1, and PTA followed by stent placement was done in 5. Simple anticoagulant therapy was used in other 2 cases. Results Axillary artery occlusion was confirmed in 15 patients with angiography. Proximal subclavian artery occlusion was revealed in 5 cases. Two patients were proved to be humeral artery occlusion by ultrasound. Among all the cases, there were 16 (72.7%) cases of acute embolism, which were all combined with atrial fibrillation. All the occluded arteries were successfully recanalized through combined interventional therapy in 1-3 days, confirmed by the restored pulsation and the relieved ischemic symptoms. The patency rate was 100%. Conclusions: Upper limb arterial occlusion disease usually has an acute onset, resulting from underlying cardiac disorder. Combined interventional therapy is effective for upper limb arterial occlusion disease and no serious complication has been observed. (authors)