Prinzmetal-Like Acute Limb Ischemia

Abstract

Vasospasm-induced acute limb ischemia (ALI), also known as vasospastic limb ischemia (VLI), is a rare, underreported vascular event. Unlike thrombotic and embolic occlusive etiologies, which often warrant revascularization, vasospasm is a transient phenomenon that may be successfully managed conservatively without surgical intervention. Thus, prompt recognition and accurate diagnosis of VLI is imperative to avoid unnecessary surgical or endovascular procedures. This diagnosis, however, can pose as a challenge for clinicians, as it can present with clinical signs and symptoms near-identical to the presentation of thrombotic-induced ALI. In this report, we present a patient that experienced 2 vasospasm-induced ischemic events; the patient developed Rutherford IIb acute limb-threatening ischemia following cardiac catheterization for myocardial infarction. Computer tomography angiography findings of her right leg revealed acute occlusion suggesting the need for immediate operative intervention for limb salvage. However, due to her critical state, she instead was managed with medical treatments. Despite no intervention, the patient had full resolution of her right leg symptoms. We present this case to highlight the unusual multifocality of vasospastic events and to increase awareness of the diagnostic challenges associated with VLI.