International wound journal
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Hand ischaemia due to arterial steal syndrome is an infrequent, but potentially serious complication of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for haemodialysis. We present a case of hand ischaemia caused by steal syndrome in a 69-year-old haemodialysis patient, 10 months after a brachiobasilic fistula creation. The patient underwent multiple operations without resolution of hand pain and tissue loss. ⋯ Probably, the diffuse microangiopathy typical of haemodialysis patients could be responsible for the persistence of ischaemic signs and symptoms after a surgical revascularisation. The effect of sympathetic blockade and the subsequent improvement of the arterial blood flow and tissue oxygenation because of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can be useful to achieve complete ischaemic pain relief in order to enhance wound healing and to limit the tissue loss. In conclusion, the association of cervical spinal cord stimulation and surgical revascularisation could represent a valid option to treat a critical upper limb ischaemia following steal syndrome due to AVF.