The role of transthoracic echocardiography in embolic acute limb ischaemia.
BACKGROUND
Embolic acute limb ischaemia (ALI) is commonly treated by re-vascularization and long-term anticoagulant therapy. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is commonly used to screen for cardiac embolic source, but may not affect management.


METHODS
We reviewed 115 consecutive patients with embolic ALI, 61% underwent TTE, with cardiac thrombus identified in only 3%. Incidental severe abnormalities requiring further cardiological investigation were detected in 19% of patients. Inpatient TTE did not affect mortality, morbidity, amputation rate, or anticoagulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Transthoracic echocardiography seldom identifies a cardiac embolic source, but identifies many patients with severe incidental cardiac abnormalities, suggesting cardiology screening of these patients remains important.
Lewis
A
A
Regional Vascular Surgery Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast, UK.
Kirk
G
G
McKinley
A
A
Blair
P H
PH
Harkin
D W
DW
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004452:Echocardiography; D004617:Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*
D000925:Anticoagulants