User:Mr. Ibrahem/Acute limb ischaemia

Acute limb ischaemia (ALI) occurs when there is a sudden decrease in blood flow to a limb. Symptoms classically include a pale, painful, numb, immobile, pulseless, and cool limb. While any limb may be involves, the legs are most commonly affected. Complications may include compartment syndrome.

The most common cause is a thrombosis, often in the setting of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Other causes may include embolism, dissection, or trauma. Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Diagnosis may be suspected based on symptoms and confirmed by CT angiogram. In contrast, chronic limb threatening ischemia develops more gradually, and while there may be no pulse, symptoms are present for more than 2 weeks.

Treatment is generally by prompt surgery; which may include surgical bypass, endarterectomy, or embolectomy. Catheter-directed thrombolysis may be another option. While awaiting surgery unfractionated heparin and pain management is frequently provided. If treatment is delayed amputation may be required. About 15% of people die within a year, often due to associated health problems.

ALI occur in about 15 to 22 per 100,000 people per year. Males and females are affected equally frequently. The typical age of onset is 75. Successful surgery to manage acute limb ischemia was first performed in 1911. The word ischemia is from the Greek ischein meaning "to hold" and haima meaning "blood".