Arterialization of the Venous System for Treatment of Chronic Ischemia in the Hand.

Symptomatic chronic ischemia of the upper extremity is a difficult condition to treat. At a critical level of ischemia, patients suffer from intractable pain and nonhealing ulcerations and potentially necrosis. When no distal vessels are available for vascular reconstruction, arterialization of the venous system is a salvage procedure that may be considered. This article describes a surgical technique for venous arterialization to improve the vascular supply to the ischemic hand, which can result in decreased pain, wound healing, improved patient function, and limb salvage.

Duke Scholars

Author Warren Hammert Orthopaedic Surgery