Occlusive vascular disorders of the upper extremity

Arterial occlusive disorders of the upper extremity share the common symptom complexes of tissue ischemia, claudication, and vasospasm. Traumatic causes are the most common, but the hand surgeon must consider proximal vascular problems as the source of the visible distal disease. Emboli, arteritis, atherosclerosis, and connective tissue disorders can all present with similar findings. Venous occlusive disease of the upper extremity is usually heralded by cyanosis and edema but is only occasionally associated with tissue loss.