An interesting case-based review
Acute peripheral/cutaneous ischemic syndrome (APCIS), what rheumatologist should know?
APCIS is a clinical syndrome, representing the clinical appereance of skin and/or limb severe ischemia due to several etiologies.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33315786/


APCIS is a clinical syndrome, representing the clinical appereance of skin and/or limb severe ischemia due to several etiologies.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33315786/





Clinical conditions relevant to the rheumatologist:
Antiphospholipid syndrome.
Vasculitis.
Autoimmune diseases (SLE).
Cryoproteinemias (cryoglobulinemia).
Others: DADA2...





Diagnosis:
Rule out infections, emboli, atherothrombotic disorders!
Blood tests, blood smear, blood cultures, coagulation panel, autoantibodies, cryoglobulins, search for monoclonal proteins...
Echocardiogram, arterial/venous ultrasound, EKG.
Consider tissue biopsy.




After initial workout, in patients without evident infection or atherothrombotic/embolic disorders, suggesting an autoimmune pathology (APS, vasculitis...):
Anticoagulation + low-dose aspirin + high dose steroids (not in SSc).
Vasodilators ( prostacyclins...).

