Arterial Embolisms and Thrombosis in Upper Extremity Ischemia

Objective: Upper extremity ischemia (UEI) is an uncommon condition that can lead to permanent disability. There is a limited understanding of the etiology, management, and outcomes of the disease. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients who were diagnosed with embolism and/or thrombosis of arteries of upper extremity at our institution from January 2005 to December 2013. Results: Patients diagnosed with embolisms were older (P < .001), more likely to undergo thromboembolectomy (P < .001), had higher rates of hypertension (P = .001), and had longer lengths of hospital stay (P = .002). There were no significant differences in complications or mortality at 30 days and up to 1 year. Conclusion: At our center, embolism was found to be the most common etiology for UEI followed by thrombosis and stenosis. Patients presented with embolism were older, were more likely to undergo thromboembolectomy, and had higher rates of hypertension and longer hospital stays.