Inadequacies of Physical Examination in Patients with Acute Lower Limb Ischemia Are Associated with Dreadful Consequences

Background: Acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) is limb and life-threatening. The aim of this study was to explore the association between adherence to guidelines on clinical diagnosis of ALI and outcome at 1 year. The hypothesis was that that better examination was associated with favorable outcome in ALI patients. Methods: Retrospective cohort study between 2015 and 2018. In-hospital, operation, radiological and autopsy registries captured 161 citizens of Malmö with ALI. The initial bedside evaluation was performed by an emergency physician. Scoring was based on evaluation of the 6 “Ps” and 1 point was given for pain, pallor, pulselessness, perishing cold, paresthesia, paralysis or ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI). The performance was scored (range 0–7), and a score ≥5 was defined as a satisfactory vascular leg status. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounders and expressed in Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A satisfactory first clinical examination was performed in 55.3% of the patients. Measurement of ABI (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.11–0.55), performing complete pulse status (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20–0.85), evaluating paralysis (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.20–0.89), and a bedside score ≥5 points (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23–0.97) were independently associated with reduced risk of major amputation/mortality at 1-year follow up. Conclusions: Quality of initial bedside evaluation in patients with ALI was unsatisfactory to a large extent and better clinical examinations were associated with favorable outcome at 1 year. Skills in clinical diagnostics in ALI needs to be much improved.