Acute Arterial Occlusion

Background

Specific Arteries

1. brachiocephalic a
   1. common carotid a + subclavian a
2. subclavian a
   1. axillary a + vertebral a
3. external iliac artery
   1. femoral (superficial femoral a) -> popliteal -> anterior tibial (lateral, branches first) -> perineal (middle) and posterior tibial (medial)
4. internal iliac a
   1. hypogastric a
5. ectasia
   1. dilatation

Diagnosis

1. paresthesia
2. pain
3. paralysis
4. pulseless
5. pallor
6. poikilothermia

• Check ABI's
  • normal ABI > 0.9
  • critical peripheral vascular disease/occlusion ABI < 0.3

Treatment

1. Emergency vascular surgery consult (General surgery if vascular not available)
2. Heparin gtt

See Also

Vascular Injury

Authors

Ross Donaldson, Marissa Camilon