LOWER-LIMB INTRAARTERIAL THROMBOLYSIS

In the UK, approximately 5000 patients present annually with acute low er limb ischaemia. The aetiology is usually thromboembolic disease, ot her causes include aortic dissection and arterial trauma. Over the pas t two decades thrombosis has replaced embolism as the principal cause of acute ischaemia, and now accounts for approximately 59% of cases. A s a consequence, intra-arterial thrombolysis is being increasingly use d as first-line treatment for this condition.