Treatment of bilateral hand frostbite using transcatheter arterial thrombolysis after papaverine infusion

Arash M. Saemi, Jason M. Johnson, Christopher S. Morris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1280-1283
Number of pages4
JournalCardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
Volume32
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Frostbite
  • Papavarine
  • Thrombolysis
  • Vasodilator

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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