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Upper Limb Emboli: A Reappraisal
Author(s) -
Hodgkinson D. J.,
Tracy G. D.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1975.tb05744.x
Subject(s) - medicine , embolus , embolectomy , embolism , gangrene , arterial embolism , thrombosis , surgery , upper limb , collateral circulation , aneurysm , anticoagulant therapy , radiology , cardiology , pulmonary embolism
Upper limb embolus cannot be regarded as a benign condition, with invariable recovery due to copious collateral circulation. Gangrene of the upper limb may occur, as shown in the series of cases in this report. The overall mortality rate remains considerable, because of associated cardiac disease, recurrent embolism, or both. Emboli proximal to the origin of the profunda brachii artery represent a group associated with higher risk, for which prompt cmbolectomy is often indicated. In embolism due to subclavian aneurysm and with thrombosis, arterial reconstruction should be undertaken, for multiple recurrence is likely. Long‐term anticoagulant therapy is usually required to try to prevent recurrence of embolism if the primary source of the embolus remains