Microvascular Thrombosis and Ischaemic Limb Losses in Critically Ill Patients

Relatively little scientific attention has been given to the small subset of critically ill patients with circulatory shock who develop ischaemic limb losses (symmetrical peripheral gangrene [SPG]). The clinical picture consists of acral (distal extremity) tissue necrosis involving lower limbs in a largely symmetrical fashion and with detectable arterial pulses; in one-third of patients the upper extremities are also affected (potential for …