Acrocyanosis

• Crocq 1896

• Acroasphyxia
• Acrocyanosis
• Acroasphyxia

• Discolouration of the acras (blue-white) due to reduced blood supply (cyanosis).

• Cyanotic (oxygen-poor) blood remains in the venous capillaries and venules. The arterioles are narrowed. This results in a lack of oxygen. Causes of include:

• Idiopathic
• Genetic disposition
• Vegetative dysregulation of the microcirculation
• Nerval-related disturbances

• Association: livedo reticularis.

• Whitish-bluish skin discolouration. Numbness is described.

• Anamnesis
• Clinic

• Mostly the acras are affected.

• Freezing
• Verrucae vulgaris
• Pernions
• Fungal infections

• Often, the symptoms subside in middle age

• Awareness of harmlessness.
• Protection against cold
• Vascular training (alternating baths)
• Nicotine abstinence.

• If necessary, ASA 100 mg 1x tgl.

• Topical nicotinic acid derivatives 2x tgl.

[1]          Heidrich H. Functional vascular diseases: Raynaud's syndrome, acrocyanosis and erythromelalgia. Vasa. 2010;39; 33-41.

[2]          Kurklinsky AK, Miller VM, Rooke TW. Acrocyanosis: the Flying Dutchman. Vasc Med. 2011;16; 288-301.

[3]          Planchon B, Becker F, Carpentier PH, Lazareth I, Le Devehat C, Levesque H, et al. [Acrocyanosis: changing concepts and nosological limitations]. J Mal Vasc. 2001;26; 5-15.