ABSTRACT
Acute lower limb ischaemia poses a threat to both limb and life. Ischaemia of the upper limb is less frequent, and in the normal course of events more dangerous when associated with vascular trauma of the shoulder region than when caused by thromboembolic occlusion. Embolic occlusions of the axillary artery or around the elbow at the bifurcation of the cubital artery do not occur infrequently as a result of atrial fibrillation. The occluded native artery is practically always normal and surgical removal is so easy that endovascular options are unnecessary, disadvantageous and in fact impractical. This chapter will deal with the endovascular treatment options for ischaemia of the lower limb.
