Protocoled thrombolytic therapy for frostbite improves phalangeal salvage rates.

Background: Frostbite is a cold injury that has the potential to cause considerable morbidity and long-term disability. Despite the complexity of these patients, diagnostic and treatment practices lack standardization. Thrombolytic therapy has emerged as a promising treatment modality, demonstrating impressive digit salvage rates.

Flow control technique to prevent distal embolization during mechanical thrombectomy.

In an era of increasing emphasis on minimally invasive surgery, distal embolization remains a concern in the absence of distal flow control. We present a case using an endovascular flow control technique that can be used for reducing distal embolic events during endovascular recanalization of aortoiliac occlusive disease. This technique has been used in four patients so far (two with native anatomy and two with aorto-bi-iliac grafts) with no evidence of angiographic or clinical embolic complications.