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Raynaud Phenomenon

Kelsey E. Phelps, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Idiopathic intermittent episodes of vasoconstriction of digital arteries, precapillary arterioles, and cutaneous arteriovenous shunts in response to cold, emotional stress, or blunt ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Primary

    • Symmetric attacks involving fingers

    • Family history of connective tissue disorder

    • Absence of tissue necrosis, ulceration, or gangrene

    • If after ≥2 years of symptoms, no abnormal cli...

TREATMENT

Assess using a Raynaud Condition Score. 

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Dress warmly, wear gloves, avoid cold temperatures.

  • During attacks, rotate the arms in a windmill pattern or place the hands under warm...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Avoid exposure to cold; reassess for secondary causes. 

Patient Monitoring

Manage fingertip ulcers and rapidly treat infection. 

DIET

No special diet 

PATIENT EDUCATION

REFERENCES

1
Wigley FM, Flavahan NA. Raynaud's Phenomenon. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(6):556-65
2
Devgire V, Hughes M. Raynaud's phenomenon. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2019;80(11):658-664
3
W...

ADDITIONAL READING

Herrick  AL. Evidence-based management of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis.  2017;9(12):317–329. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

SEE ALSO

Algorithm: Raynaud Phenomenon 

CODES

ICD10

  • I73.00 Raynaud’s syndrome without gangrene

  • I73.01 Raynaud’s syndrome with gangrene

SNOMED

  • 266261006 Raynaud’s phenomenon (finding)

  • 361131008 Isolated primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (disorder)

  • 3561...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Raynaud phenomenon is a clinical diagnosis.

  • Provocative testing is not recommended.

  • Initial presentation of Raynaud phenomenon after age 40 years suggests underlying (secondary) disease.

  • ...

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