ABSTRACT
Acute ischaemia is less common in the upper than in the lower limbs, but is caused by a wider variety of disease processes and has varied options for treatment. Ischaemia can affect any level from the fingertips to the forearm, and digital ischaemia is a warning that massive occlusion from proximal disease may supervene. Delayed diagnosis and failed salvage leading to amputation is a far greater disaster than loss of the lower limb. This chapter will attempt to provide a plan for diagnostic evaluation and strategies for treatment of acute ischaemia aimed at enhancing successful management of the underlying disease before complications develop.
