Successful angioplasty for radial artery chronic total occlusion in a patient with digital gangrene

Treatment of critical hand ischemia via orbital atherectomy and focal force balloon angioplasty: A mini-review

Calcified lesions in below-the-elbow (BTE) arteries are common in patients with diabetes or end-stage renal disease and can lead to critical hand ischemia (CHI). Treatment of calcified lesions with atherectomy has proved useful in the lower extremities, however, atherectomy in the upper extremities and especially BTE, is not typically considered due to the small vessel size. We review and discuss these studies along with other CHI-related articles and also present a case of a severely calcified ulnar artery lesion treated with orbital atherectomy and plain Chocolate balloon angioplasty.

Angioplasty of forearm arteries as a finger salvage procedure for patient with end-stage renal failure

Due to the relatively low metabolic demand and extensive collaterals of the upper limb, peripheral arterial disease seldom leads to tissue loss, except in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF), rheumatologic diseases, Raynaud's disease, frostbites, or distal emboli. We report a case of a 51-year-old lady with ESRF who presented to our tertiary referral vascular center with infected gangrene of her right ring finger. Duplex ultrasound showed that her forearm arteries were severely diseased. Digital subtraction angiogram showed severe multilevel stenoses/occlusions in her forearm radial and ulnar arteries. These lesions were successfully angioplastized with 2 mm × 25 mm angioplasty balloon. Completion angiogram showed good radiological results with some post-dilatation spasm which improved with intra-arterial glyceryl trinitrate. The sepsis improved after revascularization, and the distal phalanx was allowed to self-demarcate with dressings and autoamputate with good clinical results. Our case illustrated that even in delayed setting, patients could still benefit from specialist vascular care with a combination of expert care and angioplasty of forearm arteries, with successful salvage of her finger.

Transluminal recanalization of chronic total occlusion of radial artery using rendezvous technique: a case report and literature review

Although endovascular management of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is well studied, little information exists regarding endovascular treatment of critical upper limb ischemia. We report a case of transluminal recanalization of right radial artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) using rendezvous technique in a patient with critical hand ischemia and dry gangrene of the right index finger.