Acute Limb Ischaemia

Question 1

What is acute limb ischaemia?

Answer 1

Surgical emergency requiring revascularisation within 4-6hrs to save limb.

Question 2

What are the causes of acute limb ischaemia?

Answer 2

1. Thrombosis in situ
2. Emboli (commonly from the heart - AF)
3. Graft/angioplasty occlusion
4. Trauma

Question 3

What are the 7 P’s of acute limb ischaemia?

Answer 3

Pale
Pulseless
Painful
Paralysed
Paraesthesia
Perishingly cold

Question 4

What is the management for acute limb ischaemia?

Answer 4

1. If in doubt, urgent angiography.
2. Emergency - urgent open surgery or angioplasty, surgical embolectomy or local thrombolysis.
3. Anticoagulate with heparin after, beware of reperfusion injury.