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. Key Words: Atrial Fibrillation, Mitral Stenosis, Peripheral Vascular Disease