title: Upper limb embolus: a timely diagnosis.
abstract: In a ten year period, 36 patients were treated surgically for embolic occlusion of upper limb vessels. The sources of embolus were cardiac (58%), peripheral aneurysm (22%) and unknown (20%). Brachial embolectomy was performed in all cases. Six out of eight peripheral aneurysms were resected. A patency rate of 94% was achieved at five years. Hospital mortality and morbidity rates were 3% and 10%, respectively. One patient died of a myocardial infarct one week postoperatively. Three patients suffered ischemic contracture or amputation; all three presented after 36 hours. We conclude that upper limb emboli are usually easy to recognize and treat. Prompt surgery (less than 24 hours) produces the most satisfactory results. Late presentation or delay in treatment can result in limb loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, St. James's Hospital Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Malley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feeley
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Colgan
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shanik
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D014654:Vascular Patency