- Emboli from a fib w/o warfarin, or ventricular thrombus if severe lv dysfxn
- Recent catheterization where plaque disrupted from aorta and lodges distally
- Emboli can also originate from proximal aneurysm
- Thrombosis in situ can occur in a distal artery
- Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, smoking, known vascular disease, low EF
- Acute onset of severe leg pain
- Symptoms typically present at rest
- Affected area of leg can be pale appearing
- Diminished pulses (e.g. dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial arteries) distal to occlusion
- Affected area of leg feels cool
- Blue/hypo-perfused toes if distal emboli (e.g. following catheterization)