ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION The absence of adequate blood flow to the lower extremity presents in many different ways depending on the acuity of the events leading to presentation. In the setting of chronic ischemia, the leg may be a nuisance, with disabling claudication, but little else. At the other extreme, the pain associated with acute arterial embolus is undeniable, often leading to urgent presentation to the nearest source of medical care within minutes of its onset. Thus, while the absence of nutrient perfusion to the lower extremity is a continuum, in its most acute presentation, the afflicted individual seeks emergency care because of the severity of the symptoms. With each passing minute, the biochemical derangements in the extremity increase, ultimately leading to irreversible ischemia. While the underlying cause of the ischemia is related to the presentation, there is no one way for patients with lower extremity ischemia to present.
