[Emergencies in angiology].

Acute arterial occlusions of the extremities present with the classical five P's: pain, pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, paresis. Loss of sensitivity and motility are symptoms of the most severe grade of ischemia. The occlusions are due to embolism in about 70% of subjects and to local thrombosis in 30%. These patients have to be treated immediately with heparin. In the mildest forms, deobliteration is desirable, but in the more severe cases rapid restoration of flow not only saves limbs but also life. Deobliteration may be performed surgically or by means of catheters (local thrombolysis or thrombus aspiration) if available. Deep vein thrombosis, the other kind of emergency situation, requires immediate anticoagulation as soon as pulmonary embolism is suspected. It should be initiated by heparin and followed by oral anticoagulation. In patients presenting without pulmonary embolism but a swollen leg, ruptured Baker cysts or muscle hematomas should be ruled out before anticoagulation is started. Systemic thrombolysis or surgical thrombectomy is reserved for young patients with acute isolated thromboses. Thrombectomy must also be kept in reserve for the most severe form of deep venous thromboses, the phlegmasia cerulea dolens. In thrombophlebitis, no anticoagulation is indicated except in bedridden patients. The others must remain mobile and may be treated by systemic and local antiinflammatory drugs, incision of thrombosed varices, and bandages.