Published in:
01-11-2009 | Case Report
Treatment of Bilateral Hand Frostbite Using Transcatheter Arterial Thrombolysis After Papaverine Infusion
Authors:
Arash M. Saemi, Jason M. Johnson, Christopher S. Morris
Published in:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology
|
Issue 6/2009
Login to get access
Abstract
Standard therapy for frostbite has been unaltered for more than 20 years. Recently there have been reports of improved outcomes with the addition of a vasodilator to intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy. We report the case of severe frostbite of the hands successfully treated with transcatheter intra-arterial tPA after papaverine infusion in a 37-year-old man. Upper extremity and hand angiography within 16 h of the insult showed thrombotic occlusive disease and vasospasm. Intra-arterial catheters were placed in the brachial arteries and a papaverine infusion was initiated, followed by intra-arterial tPA thrombolysis. Follow-up examination at 4 months revealed full hand function and complete resolution of symptoms.