Clinical Presentation

Patients commonly present within hours of the onset of pain. Lower extremity ischemia presents with six p’s—pain, pallor, paresthesias, paralysis, pulselessness, and poikilothermia. In general, limb ischemic symptoms and signs will be present at a level one joint below the acute occlusive phenomenon; for example, common femoral artery occlusion will result in foot and calf pain. Normal proximal and contralateral pulse examination findings are indicative of an embolic event in an otherwise normal vascular tree. In contrast, evidence of diffuse chronic atherosclerotic disease suggests a thrombotic etiology of the acute ischemia.

Muscle and nerve tissues are able to tolerate no more than 6 hours of profound ischemia. The patient will experience a variable sensory deficit. In extreme cases, the affected limb will be insensate to even penetration of a needle into the muscles of the foot or calf; use of a sterile 19-gauge needle may allow the clinician to objectively determine whether any sensation remains. Paralysis (motor deficit) is a poor prognostic sign indicating relatively profound ischemia. Deficits in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot, which are accomplished by the muscles of the leg, are indicative of more extensive ischemia and a more proximal occlusive arterial lesion than are weakness and paralysis of the intrinsic muscles of the foot.

Because of its acuity and thus the absence of adequate preformed collateral arteries, arterial embolization is the classic situation resulting in acute arterial occlusion and acute limb ischemia. The anatomic distribution of arterial embolism is depicted in Figure 113-1. The embolus most frequently lodges at an arterial bifurcation.

FIGURE 113-1 The most common sites of arterial embolic occlusions.

In the patient with bilateral lower extremity ischemia and absent femoral pulses, the most common clinical scenario is saddle embolus to the aortic bifurcation. The patient will complain of sudden onset of bilateral buttock and lower extremity pain. Mottling of the lower extremities and lower abdomen, sometimes up to the umbilicus, will be evident on physical examination. The diagnosis in these patients is too frequently missed, probably because of the bilateral nature of the ischemic insult. Even in the setting of absent femoral pulses, patients are often evaluated for possible neurologic or neurosurgical problems, resulting in a delay of diagnosis and appropriate therapy. This disease can carry with it a poor prognosis, with a 27% mortality in one modern series.⁷

The most common site of clinically significant embolism in the lower extremity is the common femoral artery bifurcation.⁸ Patients with common femoral artery embolism will experience foot and calf pain. Finally, an embolus to the popliteal artery will result in absent pedal pulses and an ischemic foot.

Approximately 90% of the time, arterial emboli arise in the heart.⁹ Atrial fibrillation results in a dilated, noncontractile left atrial appendage, which predisposes to thrombus formation and—on spontaneous or therapeutic cardioversion—thromboembolism. Left ventricular thrombus may also form, for instance, adjacent to a noncontractile left ventricular segment after myocardial infarction, in a left ventricular aneurysm, or in the setting of dilated cardiomyopathy. Saddle emboli, which lodge at the aortic bifurcation and cause bilateral lower extremity ischemia, are most commonly the result of left ventricular thrombus. Thromboembolism from heart valves are less common today than in the past owing to the relative decrease in prevalence of rheumatic heart disease. Bacterial endocarditis can result in septic emboli that may cause both acute ischemia and infection of the distal vessel wall, which in turn results in mycotic aneurysm. Atheroemboli may arise from either the thoracic or the abdominal aorta. Finally, in some 5% of cases, the source of embolism is never identified.

Clinical Categorization of Acute Limb Ischemia

Since 1997, the Rutherford criteria have been used to grade the clinical severity of acute limb ischemia.¹⁰ These grades, as summarized in Table 113-3, are indicative both of whether emergent surgical intervention is indicated and of whether the limb is salvageable. Most commonly, category I represents an acute occlusion in a chronically narrowed artery, with well-formed collaterals. Category II represents a limb that is salvageable with immediate therapy or intervention. In the case of irreversible ischemia, category III, the patient will present with profound vascular and neurologic deficits; the limb may be in a state of rigor mortis and will require amputation.

TABLE 113-3 Clinical Categorization of Acute Limb Ischemia

Before imaging studies, in patients with acute limb ischemia, laboratory studies are indicated. In particular, and in anticipation of imaging studies with use of nephrotoxic contrast agents, a serum creatinine concentration should be obtained. If a hypercoagulable state is suspected, a hypercoagulable profile should be sent before institution of any anticoagulation. An electrocardiogram will aid in the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and will provide some information as to the patient’s cardiac status. Assessment of the patient’s cardiac risk for general anesthesia by the Goldman index or other scale may be useful.¹¹

Doppler examination of the lower extremity may be useful, with attention to both arterial and venous signals. When arterial signals are present in the ankle, at either the dorsalis pedis or the posterior tibial artery, the ankle-brachial index should be measured. The absence of venous “hums” indicates more severe ischemia.

In limbs ischemic for 4 to 6 hours, significant reperfusion injury and swelling may occur. Swelling may result in increased compartment pressures, typically presenting earliest in the anterior compartment of the leg, which has both a significant mass of slow-twitch red muscle fibers and a strong encasing fascial envelope. The contents of the anterior compartment include the deep peroneal nerve, the tibialis anterior muscle, and the anterior tibial artery; compartment syndrome with accompanying tissue necrosis in this distribution classically results in footdrop.

Whereas some surgeons will elect to observe a transiently ischemic limb for signs of compartment syndrome postoperatively, in the setting of more than 6 hours of profound ischemia, many perform four-compartment fasciotomies prophylactically at the time of revascularization. If one elects to observe the patient’s leg, any increased pain, especially with passive plantar flexion of the foot, or loss of sensation in the first web space of the foot (sensory distribution of the deep peroneal nerve) should prompt reevaluation. Compartment pressures may be measured by a Stryker needle (Stryker Instruments, Kalamazoo, MI) or other device. Compartment pressure of greater than 30 mm Hg can result in tissue ischemia and necrosis. Patients demonstrating hypotension or shock, those requiring pressors, those with absent flow through the popliteal artery at presentation, and younger patients with greater muscle mass and fewer arterial collaterals are at increased risk for development of compartment syndrome. Four-compartment fasciotomy is usually performed through both a medial and a lateral incision (Fig. 113-2). The incisions are left open for subsequent delayed primary closure or skin grafting.

FIGURE 113-2 Four-compartment fasciotomy of the leg is usually performed through both medial and lateral incisions, but it can be performed through a lateral incision only.

(From Velmahos GC, Toutouzas KG. Vascular trauma and compartment syndromes. Surg Clin North Am 2002; 88:1.)

Rhabdomyolysis can occur in patients whose limbs have suffered significant ischemia-reperfusion injury from arterial occlusion. This clinical entity should be suspected in patients with acute limb ischemia demonstrating increased muscle pain and weakness, renal failure, or hyperkalemia. Useful laboratory tests include urinalysis and serum creatine kinase concentration. The urine dip will be positive for blood, whereas the microscopic urinalysis will not demonstrate significant numbers of red blood cells; urinalysis will also demonstrate casts and myoglobin. Treatment consists of volume expansion (with goal urine output of 1 to 2 mL/kg/hr) and alkalinization of the urine with sodium bicarbonate infusion. If the patient does not succumb to the primary illness or acute renal failure, renal compromise in those patients suffering rhabdomyolysis generally resolves.

Imaging Indications and Algorithm

Arteriography is the gold standard for diagnosis and anatomic evaluation of acute limb ischemia. However, other imaging modalities at times merit consideration.

Imaging Techniques and Findings