Neonatal arterial occlusion.

A neonate with idiopathic brachial artery occlusion was recently treated at the San Bernardino County Medical Center. At birth, the right upper extremity was cold, pulseless and cyanotic. Arteriography demonstrated brachial artery occlusion, following which thrombectomy and postoperative heparinization resulted in a viable limb. This represents an unusual case of neonatal arterial occlusion with diagnostic preoperative arteriography and successful Fogarty thrombectomy. Possible etiological factors, treatment alternatives, and long term prognosis are discussed in this report.