Current Endovascular Management of Acute Limb Ischemia

Successful Treatment of Subacute Limb Ischemia by Thromboaspiration with an 8-Fr Long Sheath in a 10-Fr Short Sheath

A 79-year-old man with a history of atrial fibrillation presented for evaluation of sudden onset of intermittent claudication of the left lower limb. An angiogram revealed thrombotic total occlusion of the left superficial femoral artery (SFA). A 10-Fr sheath was antegradely inserted into the left common femoral artery (CFA), and the guidewire penetrated the lesion. Thromboaspiration using an 8-Fr long sheath inserted into a 10-Fr short sheath was performed repeatedly. Intravenous anticoagulant was administrated immediately after endovascular treatment. Follow-up angiography performed 12 days after the procedure confirmed the absence of residual thrombus in the SFA. Thromboaspiration using a large-diameter catheter is a feasible, cost-effective strategy for treatment of acute and subacute limb ischemia.

Isquemia arterial aguda de las extremidades: ¿cómo abordarla?

La isquemia arterial aguda de las extremidades se define como la interrupción abrupta del flujo sanguíneo a determinado tejido, lo cual afecta la integridad, la viabilidad de la extremidad, o ambas. Las causas son múltiples y pueden resumirse en dos procesos fisiopatológicos, trombóticos o embólicos, con lo que se puede establecer el pronóstico y el tratamiento según su causa. El cuadro sindrómico es variable, y típicamente, se identifica con las cinco “P” de Pratt (pain, pallor, pulselessness, paralysis and paresthesia); se cuenta con múltiples ayudas diagnósticas, pero la arteriografía sigue siendo el método estándar para el diagnóstico. Con el advenimiento de los avances tecnológicos y los procedimientos vasculares, el salvamento de las extremidades ha venido en aumento y ha disminuido la extensión de las amputaciones, lo cual conlleva una mayor tasa de rehabilitación y de reincorporación a la vida social.

Acute Limb Ischemia Therapies: When and How to Treat Endovascularly

Acute limb ischemia is an emergent limb and life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality. An understanding of the presentation, clinical evaluation, and initial workup, including noninvasive imaging evaluation, is critical to determine an appropriate management strategy. Modern series have shown endovascular revascularization for acute limb ischemia to be safe and effective with success rates approaching surgical series and with similar, or even decreased, perioperative morbidity and mortality. A thorough understanding of endovascular techniques, associated pharmacology, and perioperative care is paramount to the endovascular management of patients presenting with acute limb ischemia. This article discusses the diagnosis and strategies for endovascular treatment of acute limb ischemia.