Successful Embolectomy of the Plantar Artery Occlusion Due to Thromboembolism

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Thromboembolism can cause acute limb ischemia, presenting as sudden leg pain.
• Atherothrombosis in the abdominal aorta is a significant risk factor for lower extremity arterial occlusion.
• Diagnosis of arterial occlusion requires advanced imaging like computed tomography and ultrasonography.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a two-stage treatment approach for acute limb ischemia secondary to abdominal aortic atherothrombosis and distal embolization.
• To highlight the efficacy of surgical revascularization in managing thromboembolic events.
• To present a case of successful management of complex lower extremity arterial occlusion.

Main Methods:

• A 76-year-old male patient presented with acute left leg pain.
• Diagnostic imaging (CT and ultrasonography) revealed abdominal aortic atherothrombosis and occlusion of plantar and sural arteries.
• Treatment involved two stages: 1. Balloon catheter embolectomy of the common plantar artery. 2. Abdominal aortic graft replacement four weeks later.

Main Results:

• Successful embolectomy restored blood flow to the ischemic foot.
• Surgical revascularization effectively treated the acute thromboembolic event.
• Abdominal aortic graft replacement successfully addressed the embolic source, preventing recurrence.

Conclusions:

• Surgical revascularization, including embolectomy and graft replacement, is a viable treatment for thromboembolism causing acute limb ischemia.
• A two-stage approach can effectively manage complex cases of lower extremity arterial occlusion.
• Prompt diagnosis and intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes in patients with thromboembolic disease.