Thrombolysis for acute limb-threatening ischemia: a practical approach.

Lower extremity arterial thrombolysis is a safe and effective means of treating acute limb ischemia due to in situ thrombosis or embolic occlusion. It is optimally used in occlusions of <7 days duration. Proper patient selection is critical to successful outcome. In all patients undergoing successful thrombolysis, it is mandatory to ascertain the etiology of the thrombosis and correct the underlying problem to facilitate a durable outcome.