Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a true vascular emergency. It doesn't occur as frequently as the more high-profile conditions as cerebrovascular accidents and acute myocardial infarcts, but it portends similarly high morbidity and mortality risk.
- How do you stage a patient with ALI, based on the Rutherford classification system?
- What is the ED treatment plan?
- Should this patient go to Interventional Radiology or the Operating Room for more definitive management?
Here is the Rutherford Classification table in higher resolution (click to enlarge):
Feel free to download this card and print on a 4'' x 6'' index card.
Excellent summary!
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff,
Chris
Thanks, Chris! These notes are essentially distilled from a lecture on ALI that I give. I just gave the talk to our residents last week, and so it was very fresh in my mind.
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