THE HAND-ARM VIBRATION SYNDROME - A REVIEW

Since its first description over eight decades ago, the hand arm vibra tion syndrome - vibration white finger as it was previously known - ha s become one of the most common prescribed diseases in the industriali zed world. This article is intended to provide a broad review of exist ing evidence and knowledge regarding a disease which, for medicolegal reasons, demands attention from all medical personnel. Detailed discus sion is presented regarding: the multifactorial aetiology of the syndr ome; suggestions for clinical assessment, laboratory investigations an d classification of disease severity; and strategies for the preventio n and treatment of the syndrome. (C) 1998 The International Society fo r Cardiovascular Surgery.