Novel approach in using ultrasound in treating acute limb ischemia.

Background: It is imperative to gain safe access into the occluded targeted vessel and begin treating acute extremity limb ischemia. Often the origin of the targeted native artery or bypass graft will have a flush occlusion making it difficult to cannulate. This paper looks at the novel use of portable ultrasound to evaluate the origin of the artery or bypass graft to help facilitate the start of thrombolysis.