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Chronic Critical Limb Ischemia

Diagnosis and Treatment

  • Chapter
Peripheral Arterial Disease

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

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Abstract

Chronic critical limb ischemia (CLI) represents the most advanced form of atherosclerotic lower extremity vascular disease. By definition, the term characterizes patients with distal extremity perfusion so limited as to produce rest pain and/or tissue necrosis in the form of ischemic ulcers and gangrene. Clinically, patients with CLI differ from those with intermittent claudication (IC) by symptoms of ischemia present at rest as well as evidence of tissue breakdown or loss due to hypoperfusion. Acute limb ischemia (ALI), on the other hand, describes the patient in whom blood supply is suddenly interrupted, leading to sensory-motor symptoms and potential tissue destruction in short order if perfusion is not restored (see Chapter 7). ALI may occur in conjunction with CLI when a vessel with high-grade stenosis undergoes thrombosis or an embolus is superimposed on preexisting disease.

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Authors
  1. Frank A. Schmieder MD
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  2. Anthony J. Comerota MD, FACS
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Jay D. Coffman MD  & Robert T. Eberhardt MD  & 

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Schmieder, F.A., Comerota, A.J. (2003). Chronic Critical Limb Ischemia. In: Coffman, J.D., Eberhardt, R.T. (eds) Peripheral Arterial Disease. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-331-6_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-331-6_6

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