system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 65-year-old man is brought to the hospital after being hit by a car. His blood pressure is 150/90 mm Hg, and pulse is 120 bpm. There is deformity just below the left knee and no distal pulses palpable in that leg. Plain films show proximal tibia and fibula fractures. What is the next step in management?
assistant
The correct answer is  In a stable patient presenting with peripheral vessel occlusion following blunt trauma, angiography is indicated to plan the appropriate operative approach. An angiogram can also document preexisting arteriosclerosis, collateral circulation, and distal runoff. Doppler ultrasound is useful to localize the injury site but gives less information regarding collateral circulation. Immediate operation to control bleeding and restore flow is indicated if the patient's condition is unstable.