It is the sudden decrease in blood circulation of a limb due to sudden occlusion of the artery that irrigates it, caused by a thrombus (blood clot).
They appear in patients with predisposing factors to hypercoagulability, such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, trauma, dehydration, previous arterial reconstructions (presence of grafts), as a complication of a diagnostic technique, hypercoagulable states (antiphospholipid syndrome, cancer), medication, etc.
Occlusion is abrupt with very severe symptoms such as pain, pallor, altered sensation and absence of pulse.
It is diagnosed by clinical interrogation and physical examination. It is confirmed with a study of the circulation, such as Doppler ultrasound or arteriography.
Treatment is anticoagulation and different types of surgery depending on the severity. It is a medical emergency and should be consulted immediately.
- Marc E Mitchell, Overview of acute arterial occlusion of the extremities (acute limb ischemia). UpToDate, Mayo 31, 2016.
- Hynes BG, Margey RJ, Ruggiero N 2nd, et al. Endovascular management of acute limb ischemia. Ann Vasc Surg 2012; 26:110.
- Skeik N, Soo-Hoo SS, Porten BR, et al. Arterial Embolisms and Thrombosis in Upper Extremity Ischemia. Vasc Endovascular Surg 2015; 49:100.
- M. Miralles Hernández. Enfermedades arteriales. Farreras-Rozman. Medicina Interna, 18e. Capítulo 70
- Mark A. Creager. Enfermedades arteriales de las extremidades. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 302.
