Upper extremity venous gangrene following coronary artery bypass. A case report and review of the literature

J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino). 2001 Aug;42(4):551-4.

Abstract

Acute symptomatic upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are estimated to account for only 2-4% of all deep vein thrombosis. Upper extremity DVT leading to phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) occurs in an estimated 2-5% of these cases. Progression of PCD to venous gangrene is extremely rare with only 16 previously reported cases in the literature. Only 7 of the cited cases document significant tissue loss. This report describes a 61-year-old male who developed upper extremity DVT complicated by PCD which led to venous gangrene and limb loss.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects
  • Arm / surgery
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / adverse effects*
  • Edema / etiology
  • Gangrene / etiology
  • Heparin / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Count
  • Venous Thrombosis / complications*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Heparin