A Case of Severe Arterial Steal Syndrome with Skin Necrosis Developing after Percutaneous Angioplasty / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Arterial steal syndrome is a rare but serious complication that disrupts antegrade flow distal to an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) because of excess blood flow through the AVF. A 65-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus and undergoing hemodialysis was admitted for coldness and pain in the right hand ipsilateral to an AVF. AVF stenosis had developed 6 months after an upper-arm AVF operation. These manifestations developed 2 days after a successful radiological intervention for a stenotic lesion in the AVF, which became worse until the skin on her hand ulcerated. The symptoms became aggravated, particularly during dialysis. Fistulography revealed that the AVF anastomosis site was patent but blood flow toward the forearm had decreased severely. Arterial steal syndrome developing after percutaneous angioplasty for an AVF stenosis was suspected, and the AVF was ligated, which resolved the hand pain and ulceration.