Upper extremity peripheral arterial disease

Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the upper extremity is much less frequent and aetiologically more heterogeneous than lower extremity PAD. The clinical approach to patients with upper extremity PAD must consider a range of distinctive features regarding symptoms, physical findings and diagnostic strategies. This review focusses on these specific characteristics of upper extremity PAD and the new developments in this field. Arteriosclerotic subclavian artery obstruction, large vessel vasculitis, thoracic outlet syndrome and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon are four pivotal causes and manifestations of upper extremity PAD. These four entities are exemplarily discussed.