Endovascular management of acute limb ischemia

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.

Acute Arterial Occlusion Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Acute arterial occlusion is a rare complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This is a report of a case of acute femoral artery occlusion and its sequelae following TKA in a patient with a history of atrial fibrillation. Arterial circulation of the lower limb could not be restored by thrombectomy treatments, and above-knee amputation had to be carried out.

Weak Links in the Early Chain of Care of Acute Lower Limb Ischaemia in Terms of Recognition and Emergency Management

OBJECTIVES

Acute lower limb ischaemia (ALLI) is a potentially fatal, limb threatening medical emergency. Early treatment is essential for a good outcome. The aim was to describe the early chain of care in ALLI focusing on lead times and emergency management in order to identify weak links for improvement.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, descriptive case study. This study analysed the medical records of all patients with a main discharge diagnosis of ALLI between January 2009 and December 2014. Predetermined emergency care data on lead times, diagnosis recognition, presenting symptoms, emergency care treatment and outcome were collected for patients who were transported by the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and those who were not.

RESULTS

In total, 552 medical records were audited of which 195 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were analysed. Among them were 117 (60%) transported by the EMS. The median time from symptom onset to revascularisation was 23 (interquartile range [IQR] 10-55; EMS transported) and 93 (IQR 42-152, not EMS transported) hours (p < .01). The time from symptom onset to arrival in hospital was 5 (IQR 2-26; EMS transported) and 48 (IQR 6-108; not EMS transported) hours. After arrival in hospital, the median time to first doctor evaluation was 51 (IQR 28-90; EMS transported) and 80 (IQR 44-169; not EMS transported) minutes, p = .01. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was given to 72% of patients in the emergency department (ED) and a multivariate analysis showed that the use of LMWH was associated with a more favourable outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the time spent in the ED and the time from the onset of symptoms to revascularisation were considerably longer than optimal. Time delays in the early treatment chain can mainly be attributed to "patient delay" and a considerable time spent in hospital before revascularisation. The use of LMWH as an integral part of ED management was associated with a better outcome.

Acute Popliteal Artery Occlusion after Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Acute arterial occlusions are a rare complication of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, in revision TKA, the risk of such complications is higher and these complications can lead to amputation if not adequately treated. We describe a case of acute popliteal artery occlusion 4 hours after second revision TKA in a patient with a history of several surgical procedures because of periprosthetic infection at a previous hospital. Revascularization was achieved via bypass grafting and amputation was narrowly avoided despite time lag after symptom onset to revascularization. In this case, it was possible that the arterial disease that accompanied the vascular endothelium injury such as pseudoaneurysm had existed since the previous surgery at another hospital and was destroyed by the surgical procedure, which led to the formation of thrombosis and arterial occlusion. Preoperative evaluation of the arterial condition should be considered to avoid acute arterial occlusive disease, especially in patients who had several previous surgical procedures.

Acute Limb Ischemia

Acute limb ischemia is a vascular event presenting with sudden decrease in limb perfusion (of <14 days' duration) that threatens limb viability. Acute thrombosis of the native artery or graft makes up the bulk of etiopathogenesis. Prompt revascularization is the cornerstone of management of acute limb ischemia in limbs that have not undergone irreversible tissue and nerve damage. Amputation is performed in patients with irreversible tissue and nerve damage.