Study note
MedicineCardiology

Clinical examination in chronic lower limb ischaemia

THE CONTEXT
Chronic lower limb ischaemia produces characteristic arterial, positional, venous and trophic findings.

Arterial and positional findings

•
Pulses are diminished or absent, and skin temperature is reduced.
•
Bruits indicate turbulent flow but bear no relationship to the severity of the underlying disease.
•
Buerger’s sign consists of pallor on elevation and rubor on dependency.

Venous and trophic findings

•
Superficial veins fill sluggishly and empty, or gutter, on minimal elevation.
•
Muscle wasting and loss of hair may occur.
•
The skin and nails become dry, thin and brittle.
Explore this chapter
NEETx
Learn. Practise. Remember.
HomeSubjectsPapersStudy notesQuick quiz