general clinical features of gangrene

Last reviewed 08/2021

General features include:

  • poor or absent arterial pulses, venous return, capillary response to pressure - indicated by return of colour - sensation, warmth, and function
  • characteristic colour changes - pale, grey, mottled, blue then finally, dark brown, greenish black or black. The final colouration is due to the disintegration of haemoglobin and formation of iron sulphide.