Arterial Thrombosis Associated with Malignant Disease

Abstract

Patients with critical limb ischaemia due to atherosclerotic disease have an expected survival of approximately 80% at one year. The outcome of patients with arterial thrombosis associated with malignant disease is far worse. Arterial thrombosis is an agonal event in many of these patients. Conservative or palliative treatment may be the most appropriate management.

Peripheral arterial ischemic events in cancer patients

“…Arterial thrombosis in such settings can be agonizing for many of these patients. 4,5 Increased awareness and vigi lance regarding this condition may lead to earlier detection and treatment, and thereby possibly alleviate some of the morbidities associated with these events.…”

Frequency of cancer in patients operated on for acute peripheral arterial thrombosis and the impact on prognosis

“…[4][5][6][7][8] The investigation of increased risk of acute arterial thromboembolism, or acute limb ischemia, in cancer patients, on the other hand, has been limited to case reports. 2,3,5,[9][10][11][12] A few single-center studies, examining the prevalence and prognosis of acute limb ischemia among cancer patients, all report poor limb salvage as well as survival. These studies, however, have been conducted in small settings with sample sizes of no more than 22 cancer patients.…”

“…These studies, however, have been conducted in small settings with sample sizes of no more than 22 cancer patients. 2,3,[9][10][11] Furthermore, previous studies have pointed out that venous thromboembolism and arterial thromboembolism can occur up to 24 months before cancer diagnosis as a heralding sign of cancer. 7,13 Using data from the Danish Vascular Registry, the Danish Patient Registry, and the Danish Cancer Registry, we addressed the following issues: (1) the frequency of cancer in patients operated on for acute limb ischemia; (2) the future risk of amputation compared with patients without cancer; and (3) whether cancer patients with acute limb ischemia were at a higher risk for major arterial cardiovascular events, defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, or death.…”

Atraumatic Acute Limb Ischemia: Clinical Presentation, Classification, Assessment and Management- A Review

“…Much less frequently, embolism can occur due to air, fat, amniotic fl uid and systemic tumour fragments [8]. Rare cases of paradoxical embolism have been reported where the source is deep vein thrombosis of the legs, with a patent foramen ovale [9].…”