The endovascular management of blue finger syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: To review our experience of the endovascular management of upper limb embolisation secondary to an ipsilateral proximal arterial lesion.

Design: A retrospective study.

Materials and methods: Over 3 years, 17 patients presented with blue fingers secondary to an ipsilateral proximal vascular lesion. These have been managed using transluminal angioplasty (14) and arterial stenting (five), combined with embolectomy (two) and anticoagulation (three)/anti-platelet therapy (14).

Results: All the patients were treated successfully. There have been no further symptomatic embolic episodes originating from any of the treated lesions, and no surgical amputations. Complications were associated with the use of brachial arteriotomy for vascular access.

Conclusions: Endovascular techniques are safe and effective in the management of upper limb embolic phenomena associated with an ipsilateral proximal focal vascular lesion.