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Differential Diagnosis of Upper Extremity Ischemia

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Critical Limb Ischemia

Abstract

Upper extremity ischemia occurs as a consequence of occlusive, embolic, or vasospastic events and occurs in the context of a wide range of associated atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic conditions. Classification of the wide range of causes for upper extremity ischemia is challenging but is best approached by assessing the etiology, anatomic location, and size of the affected arteries. The careful consideration of patient history, clinical evaluation, and physical examination with selective radiologic imaging can help the clinician pinpoint the underlying causes for ischemia as well as direct subsequent treatment. In this chapter, the authors will provide an overview of the causes of acute and chronic upper extremity arterial ischemia as well as outline the appropriate steps for clinical diagnostic evaluation. The diagnostic imaging modalities available for patient assessment are reviewed, and a brief discussion of the medical, surgical, and endovascular options for treatment of patients with upper extremity ischemia are outlined. This chapter will provide the clinician with the fundamentals allowing a systematic approach to the evaluation of patients and making an accurate diagnosis for the majority of patients with upper extremity ischemia.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Vascular Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Laura Drudi MDCM

  2. Vascular Surgery Residency and Fellowship, McGill University, McGill University Health Center – Royal Victoria Hospital-Glen Site, 1001 Boulevard Decarie, CRC. 4208, Montreal, QC, Canada, H4A 3J1

    Kent MacKenzie MDCM (Program Director)

Authors
  1. Laura Drudi MDCM
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  2. Kent MacKenzie MDCM
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA

    Robert S. Dieter

  2. Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA

    Raymond A. Dieter, Jr

  3. The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

    Raymond A. Dieter, III

  4. West Virginia University, Charleston, West Virginia, USA

    Aravinda Nanjundappa

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© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Drudi, L., MacKenzie, K. (2017). Differential Diagnosis of Upper Extremity Ischemia. In: Dieter, R., Dieter, Jr, R., Dieter, III, R., Nanjundappa, A. (eds) Critical Limb Ischemia. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31991-9_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31991-9_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31989-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31991-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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