Femoral and popliteal embolectomy

About 50% of patients presenting with acute ischaemia with no previous history of intermittent claudication do not have acute ischaemia due to embolism; the ischaemia is caused by an acute exacerbation superimposed upon chronic atheromatous disease. This large subgroup of patients presents a considerable challenge in clinical management, much greater than that of an embolus, and every attempt must be made to differentiate the two groups before embarking upon treatment.