[Treatment of acute ischemia of the hand]

Abstract

Among numerous non-traumatic vascular disorders of the hand, only embolism and arterial thrombosis present acute characteristics, exceptional cases of extensive and sudden venous thrombosis apart. These signs are neurological and indicate extreme clinical urgency. Paresis and anesthesia indicate direct arterial surgery, embolectomy, thrombectomy, reconstruction by grafting or prosthesis. When ischemia affects only part of the hand, anticoagulant and vasodilative treatment is often sufficient and upper thoracic sympathectomy is unnecessary.