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SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences
Subclavian artery thrombosis
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Subclavian artery thrombosis

Contributors: Hannah M. Smith MD, Ryan Hoefen MD, PhD, Danielle Wilbur MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Emergent Care / Stabilization:
  • Symptomatic patients require emergent care.
  • Initiate systemic heparin for stabilization.
Causes / typical injury mechanism: This is most commonly caused by atherosclerosis. Rare causes include: Classic history and presentation:
  • Arm claudication
  • Muscle fatigue
  • Rest pain
  • Distal limb ischemia
Prevalence: This presents in less than 1% of the total population, and is found in 11%-18% of patients with peripheral vascular disease.

Risk factors:
Pathophysiology: Subclavian artery thrombosis is caused by vessel wall / intimal damage in an area of shear stress, often in the setting of a hypercoagulable state, resulting in the cascade of platelet aggregation and proliferation of smooth muscle that forms an atherosclerotic plaque.

Grade / classification system: Based upon symptoms at presentation –
  • Asymptomatic
  • Symptomatic
  • Claudication
  • Critical limb ischemia
  • Acute limb ischemia

Codes

ICD10CM:
I74.9 – Embolism and thrombosis of unspecified artery

SNOMEDCT:
297154003 – Subclavian artery thrombosis

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

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Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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References

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Last Reviewed:05/03/2023
Last Updated:05/29/2023
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Subclavian artery thrombosis
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