Acute peripheral Arterial Occlusion, Upper and Lower Extremities: A review of 120 cases

Abstract

Background: Acute peripheral arterial occlusion (upper and lower- extremity) is responsible for a wide variety of complications culminating in limb loss or death. Acute arterial occlusion of the extremities with the high tendency for major limb loss and death are very common peripheral vascular problems that require emergency management.
Aims and Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the patients who were performed surgical treatment due to acute peripheral arterial occlusion.
Material and Method: This study was conducted at the department of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, sulaimanyah teaching hospital. Between January 2006 and October 2011, 120 patients (70 males, 50 females; mean age 68.1
years; range 35 to 90 years) who underwent surgical treatment due to acute peripheral arterial occlusion were included in this study.
Kesults: Among the 120 patients, 55(45.8%) were admitted within the first arterial occlusion was on the upper extremity in 45 patients (on the right upper lower extremity in 35 patients). Embolectomy was performed on all patients.
Reembolectomy was done for 10 patients (8.3%) with recurrent ischemia.
Amputation was performed on seven patients (5.8%). Mortality rate was 4.2% with
five cases.
Conclusion: Acute peripheral arterial occlusion is associated with a high risk of limb loss and death. The high mortality rate is as much a function of the multiplicity of baseline comorbidities as it is a result of the insult from the peripheral ischemia and reperfusion.