2022 Volume 31 Issue 2 Pages 57-60
The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) causes thrombosis in arteries and veins throughout the body. Cases of aortoiliac thrombosis caused by APS are relatively rare. Herein, we report a case wherein a bifurcated graft was used for recirculation to treat critical limb ischemia and aortoiliac thrombosis due to APS. A 55-year-old man had previously developed a pulmonary embolism, for which he was admitted to another hospital, where he was diagnosed with APS. During follow-up for APS, the patient’s right fifth toe had turned gangrenous and fallen. He presented to our hospital with left leg pain at rest and gangrene of the fourth and fifth toes. The patient was on anticoagulant medication, which was stopped when the gangrene appeared. Angiography findings revealed terminal aortic stenosis and right external iliac arterial obstruction; however, no significant stenosis was observed distal to the popliteal artery. For the limb ischemia caused by the terminal aortic stenosis and right external iliac arterial obstruction, we performed open surgical recirculation using a bifurcated graft. The patient’s pain at rest and gangrenous left toe improved postoperatively.
