Contemporary management of acute limb ischemia: factors associated with amputation and in-hospital mortality.

Contemporary treatment of patients with acute limb ischemia includes both open and endovascular techniques, and advances in technology continue to make interventions easier and safer. However, the greatest gains in improving outcomes in these patients will come from more consistent and prompt recognition of the disease followed by rapid, standardized therapy to minimize the risk of limb loss and subsequent reperfusion-related injury. This article uses case reports to highlight critical issues that may arise during the course of diagnosis and treatment and describes clinical factors associated with morbidity and mortality in these patients.