Percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy in acute upper limb ischemia: A case report

Introduction: Acute upper limb ischemia (AULI) is an unusual presentation of limb-threatening emergency. Only a few cases of percutaneous thrombectomy in AULI have been published. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old woman presented with sudden burning pains in the right hand of 11 hours’ duration. Duplex ultrasound identified a thrombus along the proximal brachial artery to the distal radial artery. Arteriography revealed total occlusion in the proximal brachial artery. Transfemoral percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy (PAT) with the result of a red thrombus was subsequently performed. Successful recanalization with a flow from the brachial artery to the distal radial artery was obtained after PAT. Unfortunately, the patient died from septic shock and respiratory failure 4 days later. Discussion: Successful PAT on the right brachial artery was performed in our case with the prior procedural identification of the occluded artery using duplex ultrasound and angiography. Conclusions: AULI is a limb- and life-threatening condition. PAT can be an option for vasculature recanalization in upper limb extremities.