Peripheral Arterial

Acute limb ischaemia (ALI) is a sudden decrease in arterial perfusion threatening limb survival, with symptoms of less than 2 weeks. Management depends on Rutherford grade and cause. Give IV unfractionated heparin, analgesia, oxygen and fluids, then activate the ALI pathway with senior vascular decision-making. Grade I is usually conservative; IIa needs urgent imaging and planned revascularisation; IIb needs immediate revascularisation; III usually needs primary amputation or palliation.