CAUSES OF ACUTE LIMB ISCHEMIA AND IT'S IN HOSPITAL OUTCOME

Abstract

Objective: To find different causes of acute limb ischemia and it's in hospital
outcomes.

Methodology: This was descriptive cross sectional study performed in
Cardiovascular Unit of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Data was collected for a
period of one year from 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2015. Sampling
technique was non probability consecutive. Acute limb ischemia was defined as,
sudden and severe pain in limb with bluish discoloration or gangrenous changes
in affected limb with or without absent pulses, depending upon the site of
ischemia within two weeks of symptoms onset and Doppler ultrasound evidence
of absent flow in any artery.

Results: About 200 patients were included in the study. Mean age of the study
population was 48.3±18.8 years. Male patients were 96 (48 %). Mitral stenosis
(MS) was found to be the most common cause responsible for acute limb
ischemia, due to peripheral thrombo embolism (37.5 %). Other causes were PVD
(18.5 %), CCF either with or without AF (10 %), isolated AF (4 %) and other
causes were 26.5 %. Regarding in hospital outcome, amputation was done in
26.5%of patients and mortality was 7.5 %.

Conclusion: Acute limb ischemia is multifactorial in nature associated with
higher in hospital mortality and limb amputation. Mitral stenosis and AF is the
most common cause leading to this condition.