Late onset acute occlusion of the subclavian artery after clavicle fracture

Abstract

Vascular injuries after a clavicle fracture are rare. The treatment remains, if possible, conservative. In case of life-threatening bleeding or limb ischemia, endovascular treatment is the treatment of choice. In this case report, we describe a patient who suffered a clavicle fracture five years before and now presented with acute invalidating claudication caused by an acute occlusion superimposed on a brachial artery stenosis. After unsuccessful thrombolytic therapy a surgical exploration of the brachial artery was performed.