Acute Limb Ischaemia

Question 1

Define Acute Limb Ischaemia:
40%
48%
15%
&
SgEm:

Answer 1

Sudden lack of blood flow to the limbs, and is caused by a thrombus in 40% cases, Embolus 38%, and Graft/Angioplasty Occlusion 15%, or Trauma.
Surgical Emergency - requiring revascularisation within 4-6 hours to save the limb.

Question 2

Acute Limb Ischaemia:
Mortality Rate:
Amputation Rate:

Answer 2

Acute Limb Ischaemia:
Mortality Rate: 22%
Amputation Rate: 16%

Question 3

Acute Limb Ischaemia: Symptoms:

1. P
2. P
3. P
4. P
5. P
6. P

Answer 3

Acute Limb Ischaemia: Symptoms:

1. Pain
2. Pallor
3. Paraesthesia
4. Pulseless
5. Perishing Cold
6. Paralysis

Question 4

Acute Limb Ischaemia: Investigations:
C
E
B

Answer 4

Acute Limb Ischaemia: Investigations:
Chest X Ray
ECG
Bloods

Question 5

Acute Limb Ischaemia: Treatment:
OS
AP
SEMB
LT
H

Answer 5

Acute Limb Ischaemia: Treatment:
Open Surgery
Angioplasty
Surgical Embolectomy - if occlusion is embolic
Local Thrombolysis - tissue plasminogen activator, t-PA - if occlusion is embolic
Heparin - anticoagulation used post-surgery to look for the source of emboli.