Ischemic injury of the hand from intra-arterial propylhexedrine injection

J Hand Surg Am. 1988 Jan;13(1):58-61. doi: 10.1016/0363-5023(88)90201-8.

Abstract

A number of adverse consequences can result in the upper limb from parenteral drug abuse. Propylhexedrine, a drug similar to amphetamine, is easily obtained and causes severe injury to the limb when injected intra-arterially. This report describes an inadvertent case of intra-arterial propylhexedrine injection into the radial artery, the natural course of which resulted in digital amputations. The cause and diagnosis of this injury is discussed, and a protocol for treatment is presented.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Fingers / pathology
  • Fingers / surgery
  • Hand / blood supply*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intra-Arterial
  • Ischemia / chemically induced*
  • Ischemia / surgery
  • Male
  • Necrosis / chemically induced
  • Propylamines / administration & dosage
  • Propylamines / adverse effects*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Thumb / pathology
  • Thumb / surgery

Substances

  • Propylamines