Hold the Stroke Alert! Acute Axillary Artery Embolus Unmasked by Emergency Bedside Ultrasound

Abstract

Objective —To describe a case of axillary artery embolus detected by emergency physician- performed bedside ultrasound. Case Report —A patient presented with a possible stroke but was diagnosed correctly with acute axillary artery embolus. The axillary artery embolus was detected by the emergency physician by the use of bedside ultrasound. Results —An acute axillary artery embolus was detected rapidly by emergency physician-performed bedside ultrasound. This led to rapid definitive vascular surgical care. Conclusion —Rapid bedside emergency ultrasound of the upper extremity arterial system can accurately detect life- and limb-threatening pathology and expedite, as this case demonstrates, definitive limb-saving surgical care.