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Acute limb ischemia post-op — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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HardSurgery (post-operative, follow-up)Acute limb ischemia post-opUSMLE Step 3

A 73-year-old man develops sudden severe left leg pain 2 days after colectomy. The leg is pale and cool with decreased sensation and absent Doppler signals. He has atrial fibrillation and missed anticoagulation perioperatively. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

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Correct answer: A — Start heparin and obtain urgent vascular surgery evaluation

Acute limb ischemia with threatened limb requires immediate anticoagulation and urgent revascularization assessment.

Reference: ACC/AHA Peripheral Artery Disease Guideline