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Digital ischaemia due to vascular anomalies
Author(s) -
ROWELL NEVILLE
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1977.tb05205.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gangrene , ischemia , arterial disease , angiography , vascular disease , peripheral , cardiology , disease , myocardial ischaemia , surgery
SUMMARY Four patients presenting with painful persistent cyanosis or gangrene of the fingers were found to have anomalies of the arterial circulation of the hands and fingers. Investigations for systemic disease were negative. It is postulated that variations in the normal arterial anatomy predispose to digital ischaemia and that trauma, the contraceptive pill or infection may precipitate small thromboses and give rise to clinical ischaemia. Angiography should be undertaken in all patients presenting with persistent ischaemia of the fingers and toes, when the peripheral pulses are present and systemic disease has been excluded.