Blue toe syndrome is a situation that may reflect atherothrombotic (clots resulting from the build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls)[1]microembolism, causing transient focal ischaemia, a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain or spinal cord,[2] occasionally with minor apparent tissue loss, but without diffuse forefoot ischemia.[3] The development of blue or violaceous toes can also occur with trauma, cold-induced injury, disorders producing generalized cyanosis, decreased arterial flow, impaired venous outflow, and abnormal circulating blood.[4][5][6][7] The terms "blue toe syndrome", "grey toe syndrome" and "purple toe syndrome" are sometimes used interchangeably.[8]
Studies may include echocardiography, thoracic and abdominal CT or MRI,[9][10][11][12] peripheral arterial run off imaging studies, hypercoagulopathy labs, and interrogation of syndromes that lead to peripheral vascular pathology.[13]
^Matchett WJ, McFarland DR, Eidt JF, Moursi MM (2000). "Blue toe syndrome: treatment with intra-arterial stents and review of therapies". J Vasc Interv Radiol. 11 (5): 585–92. doi:10.1016/s1051-0443(07)61610-8. PMID10834489.
^Applebaum RM, Kronzon I (1996). "Evaluation and management of cholesterol embolization and the blue toe syndrome". Curr Opin Cardiol. 11 (5): 533–42. doi:10.1097/00001573-199609000-00013. PMID8889381.
^Sottiurai VS, Omlie W (1994). "Femoral artery hypoplasia and persistent sciatic artery with blue toe syndrome: a case report, histologic analysis and review of the literature". Int Angiol. 13 (2): 154–9. PMID7963875.
^Policha A, Moudgill N, Eisenberg J, Rao A, DiMuzio P (2013). "Coral reef aorta: case report and review of the literature". Vascular. 21 (4): 251–9. doi:10.1177/1708538113478764. PMID23518854. S2CID63550.
^Blackshear JL, Oldenburg WA, Cohen MD (Dec 1994). "Making the diagnosis when the patient has 'blue toes'". Geriatrics. 49 (12): 37–9, 43–5. PMID7982584.