COVID-19 Associated Acute Limb Ischemia

Based on several case series, patients with COVID-19-associated acute limb ischemia (from arterial thrombosis) were generally > 60 years old, overweight, and had other chronic conditions like hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, and diabetes—just like many wound care patients!

These patients present with mild vascular skin lesions that appear as small areas of discoloration (purpuric or petechial), as well as severe manifestations such as diffuse cyanosis and gangrene. Major amputation (eg, below-knee amputation, above-knee amputation) is required in 7%–35% of patients with COVID-19 as a result of peripheral thrombotic or embolic events. Timely recognition of skin discoloration and referral to vascular specialists is needed to optimize outcomes, and early patient counselling is needed.

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