Peripheral arterial embolism

Peripheral arterial embolism is an acute vascular emergency characterized by the sudden mechanical occlusion of a peripheral artery—most commonly affecting the lower extremities—by circulating material that has migrated from a proximal site

Peripheral arterial embolism is an acute vascular emergency characterized by the sudden mechanical occlusion of a peripheral artery—most commonly affecting the lower extremities—by circulating material that has migrated from a proximal site The vast majority of these emboli are thromboemboli arising from cardiac sources, such as atrial fibrillation, recent myocardial infarction, or prosthetic valves, though they may also originate from proximal aneurysms or ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques

The vast majority of these emboli are thromboemboli arising from cardiac sources, such as atrial fibrillation, recent myocardial infarction, or prosthetic valves, though they may also originate from proximal aneurysms or ulcerated atherosclerotic plaques Pathophysiologically, the abrupt interruption of distal arterial perfusion rapidly induces severe tissue hypoxia, presenting clinically with the classic signs of acute limb ischemia: sudden-onset pain, pallor, pulselessness, poikilothermia, pare...

Pathophysiologically, the abrupt interruption of distal arterial perfusion rapidly induces severe tissue hypoxia, presenting clinically with the classic signs of acute limb ischemia: sudden-onset pain, pallor, pulselessness, poikilothermia, paresthesias, and paralysis

Without prompt revascularization, this ischemic insult rapidly progresses to neuromuscular necrosis, irreversible tissue loss, and limb loss

Without prompt revascularization, this ischemic insult rapidly progresses to neuromuscular necrosis, irreversible tissue loss, and limb loss