Ischemic injury of the hand from intra-arterial propylhexedrine injection.

A number of adverse consequences can result in the upper limb from parenteral drug abuse. Propylhexedrine, a drug similar to amphetamine, is easily obtained and causes severe injury to the limb when injected intra-arterially. This report describes an inadvertent case of intra-arterial propylhexedrine injection into the radial artery, the natural course of which resulted in digital amputations. The cause and diagnosis of this injury is discussed, and a protocol for treatment is presented.