Published online Dec 26, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i24.6473
Peer-review started: September 8, 2020
First decision: September 24, 2020
Revised: October 6, 2020
Accepted: November 2, 2020
Article in press: November 2, 2020
Published online: December 26, 2020
Processing time: 102 Days and 2.5 Hours
Acute arterial embolism of the extremities is a surgical emergency. Atrial fibrillation is the major etiology of acute arterial embolism of the extremities. Emergency femoral artery thrombectomy can successfully treat this issue. However, polycythemia vera (PV) may sometimes explain this medical emergency. Recurrent thrombosis in the lower extremities after thrombectomy can be found in patients with PV, and reoperation is needed for this condition.
A 68-year-old man in China suffered from sudden pain in the left lower extremity for 14 h. The examination in the emergency department showed a diagnosis of acute arterial embolism of the extremities combined with PV. The patient’s complaint disappeared after repeat emergency thrombectomy.
Patients with acute arterial embolism of the extremities should be treated carefully, especially those who have recurrent thrombosis after emergency thrombectomy. Clinicians should be aware of PV, a rare cause of acute arterial embolism of the extremities. The combination of thrombectomy, phlebotomy, and antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs may be a suitable therapeutic regimen for these patients.
Core Tip: Acute arterial embolism of extremities is a surgical emergency. Atrial fibrillation is the major etiology, and emergency femoral artery thrombectomy is the treatment. However, polycythemia vera (PV) may sometimes explain this medical emergency. Reoperation is needed for recurrent thrombosis after thrombectomy in patients with PV. Here, a patient suffered from sudden pain of left lower extremity for 14 h. Emergency diagnosis was acute arterial embolism of extremities combined with PV. Patient’s complaint disappeared after repeated thrombectomy. Patients with PV having recurrent thrombosis after emergency thrombectomy should be treated carefully. Combination of thrombectomy, phlebotomy, and antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs may be a suitable therapeutic regimen.