ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of a 84-year-old male with a background of atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension who is presented with acute right leg pain. Acute ischaemia describes the occlusion of an artery. A hand held doppler is a useful quick bedside examination technique and may demonstrate reduced or absent pulses or a reduced Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI). The imaging modality of choice is duplex ultrasonography or (CT) angiography and helps to establish the site of vascular occlusion as well as distal vessel patency and collateral formation. Potential management options include angioplasty of the lesion, thrombectomy, catheter directed thrombolysis and bypass grafting. After treatment of the acute lesion, patients must optimise control of blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolaemia as well as lifestyle modifications such as smoking cessation, limiting alcohol consumption, weight loss and increasing exercise.
