Aetiology
Acute ischaemia results principally from embolism or thrombotic occlusion in an essential distributing artery:
- embolism - most large emboli originate in the heart, as a result of atrial fibrillation, mitral stenosis - left atrial thrombus, atrial myxoma or myocardial infarction - mural thrombus
- thrombotic occlusion of an artery already narrowed by atherosclerosis
- thrombosis of a popliteal artery aneurysm
Rarely, acute ischaemia may result from widespread thrombosis due to:
- high oestrogen contraceptive pill
- polycythaemia rubra vera
- thrombocythaemia
- leukaemia
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