Skip to main content

Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: Evaluation and Management

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Peripheral Arterial Interventions

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

  • 276 Accesses

Abstract

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is characterized by rest pain, nonhealing ulcer/wound, or gangrene. In the USA, the prevalence of CLTI is estimated to be between 2 and 3.4 million. Approximately 29% of CLTI patients have major amputation or death within the first year. Although establishing and maintaining direct arterial blood flow with revascularization remain the key for CLTI, concomitant guideline-directed medical therapy and aggressive cardiovascular risk factor management are equally important. There is no consensus on whether surgical or endovascular therapy is a first approach. However, endovascular therapy has been proven to be effective and safe. Patients with CLTI often present with multilevel disease, and treatment of both inflow and outflow diseases is necessary for wound healing. Multidisciplinary team approach in decision-making and postrevascularization comprehensive wound care are essential for limb preservation and wound healing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Yost M. Epidemiology of critical limb ischemia (CLI): prevalence and comorbidities. CLI Global. 2019;1:6.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Mustapha JA, Katzen BT, Neville RF, Lookstein RA, Zeller T, Miller LE, et al. Determinants of long-term outcomes and costs in the management of critical limb ischemia: a population-based cohort study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(16):e009724.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Gray BH, Diaz-Sandoval LJ, Dieter RS, Jaff MR, White CJ. SCAI expert consensus statement for infrapopliteal arterial intervention appropriate use. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2014;84(4):539–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Bailey SR, Beckman JA, Dao TD, Misra S, Sobieszczyk PS, White CJ, et al. ACC/AHA/SCAI/SIR/SVM 2018 appropriate use criteria for peripheral artery intervention: a report of the American College of Cardiology Appropriate use criteria task force, American Heart Association, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Interventional Radiology, and Society for Vascular Medicine. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(2):214–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Duff S, Mafilios MS, Bhounsule P, Hasegawa JT. The burden of critical limb ischemia: a review of recent literature. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2019;15:187–208.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  6. Gerhard-Herman MD, Gornik HL, Barrett C, Barshes NR, Corriere MA, Drachman DE, et al. 2016 AHA/ACC guideline on the management of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017;69(11):e71–e126.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Chung J, Timaran DA, Modrall JG, Ahn C, Timaran CH, Kirkwood ML, et al. Optimal medical therapy predicts amputation-free survival in chronic critical limb ischemia. J Vasc Surg. 2013;58(4):972–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Henry AJ, Hevelone ND, Belkin M, Nguyen LL. Socioeconomic and hospital-related predictors of amputation for critical limb ischemia. J Vasc Surg. 2011;53(2):330–9.e1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Goodney PP, Travis LL, Nallamothu BK, Holman K, Suckow B, Henke PK, et al. Variation in the use of lower extremity vascular procedures for critical limb ischemia. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2012;5(1):94–102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Mustapha JA, Saab FA, Martinsen BJ, Pena CS, Zeller T, Driver VR, et al. Digital subtraction angiography prior to an amputation for critical limb ischemia (CLI): an expert recommendation statement from the CLI global society to optimize limb salvage. J Endovasc Ther. 2020;27(4):540–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kokkinidis DG, Arfaras-Melainis A, Giannopoulos S, Katsaros I, Jawaid O, Jonnalagadda AK, et al. Statin therapy for reduction of cardiovascular and limb-related events in critical limb ischemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Vasc Med. 2020;25(2):106–17.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Uccioli L, Meloni M, Izzo V, Giurato L, Merolla S, Gandini R. Critical limb ischemia: current challenges and future prospects. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2018;14:63–74.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Graziani L, Silvestro A, Bertone V, Manara E, Andreini R, Sigala A, et al. Vascular involvement in diabetic subjects with ischemic foot ulcer: a new morphologic categorization of disease severity. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2007;33(4):453–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Saab F, Jaff MR, Diaz-Sandoval LJ, Engen GD, McGoff TN, Adams G, et al. Chronic total occlusion crossing approach based on plaque cap morphology: the CTOP classification. J Endovasc Ther. 2018;25(3):284–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Mustapha JA, Saab F, McGoff TN, Adams G, Mullins JR, Al-Dadah A, et al. Tibiopedal arterial minimally invasive retrograde revascularization (TAMI) in patients with peripheral arterial disease and critical limb ischemia. On behalf of the peripheral registry of endovascular clinical outcomes (PRIME). Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2020;95(3):447–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Godino C, Sharp AS, Carlino M, Colombo A. Crossing CTOs-the tips, tricks, and specialist kit that can mean the difference between success and failure. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2009;74(7):1019–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Taylor GI, Palmer JH. The vascular territories (angiosomes) of the body: experimental study and clinical applications. Br J Plast Surg. 1987;40(2):113–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Taylor GI, Palmer JH. Angiosome theory. Br J Plast Surg. 1992;45(4):327–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Mustapha JA, Katzen BT, Neville RF, Lookstein RA, Zeller T, Miller LE, et al. Propensity score-adjusted comparison of long-term outcomes among revascularization strategies for critical limb ischemia. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2019;12(9):e008097.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Yu JS, Park KM, Jeon YS, Cho SG, Hong KC, Shin WY, et al. Midterm outcome of femoral artery stenting and factors affecting patency. Vasc Specialist Int. 2015;31(4):115–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  21. Katsanos K, Kitrou P, Spiliopoulos S, Diamantopoulos A, Karnabatidis D. Comparative effectiveness of plain balloon angioplasty, bare metal stents, drug-coated balloons, and drug-eluting stents for the treatment of infrapopliteal artery disease: systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Endovasc Ther. 2016;23(6):851–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Tepe G, Laird J, Schneider P, Brodmann M, Krishnan P, Micari A, et al. Drug-coated balloon versus standard percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of superficial femoral and popliteal peripheral artery disease: 12-month results from the IN.PACT SFA randomized trial. Circulation. 2015;131(5):495–502.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Ouriel K, Adelman MA, Rosenfield K, Scheinert D, Brodmann M, Peña C, et al. Safety of paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty for femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2019;12(24):2515–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Rosenfield K, Jaff MR, White CJ, Rocha-Singh K, Mena-Hurtado C, Metzger DC, et al. Trial of a paclitaxel-coated balloon for femoropopliteal artery disease. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(2):145–53.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Schneider PA, Laird JR, Tepe G, Brodmann M, Zeller T, Scheinert D, et al. Treatment effect of drug-coated balloons is durable to 3 years in the femoropopliteal arteries: long-term results of the IN.PACT SFA randomized trial. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2018;11(1):e005891.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Katsanos K, Spiliopoulos S, Kitrou P, Krokidis M, Karnabatidis D. Risk of death following application of paclitaxel-coated balloons and stents in the femoropopliteal artery of the leg: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(24):e011245.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  27. Rocha-Singh KJ, Duval S, Jaff MR, Schneider PA, Ansel GM, Lyden SP, et al. Mortality and paclitaxel-coated devices: an individual patient data meta-analysis. Circulation. 2020;141(23):1859–69.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Behrendt CA, Sedrakyan A, Peters F, Kreutzburg T, Schermerhorn M, Bertges DJ, et al. Editor’s choice—long term survival after femoropopliteal artery revascularisation with paclitaxel coated devices: a propensity score matched cohort analysis. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2020;59(4):587–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Dinh K, Gomes ML, Thomas SD, Paravastu SCV, Holden A, Schneider PA, et al. Mortality after paclitaxel-coated device use in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Endovasc Ther. 2020;27(2):175–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Freisinger E, Koeppe J, Gerss J, Goerlich D, Malyar NM, Marschall U, et al. Mortality after use of paclitaxel-based devices in peripheral arteries: a real-world safety analysis. Eur Heart J. 2020;41(38):3732–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Secemsky EA, Kundi H, Weinberg I, Jaff MR, Krawisz A, Parikh SA, et al. Association of survival with femoropopliteal artery revascularization with drug-coated devices. JAMA Cardiol. 2019;4(4):332–40.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Shishehbor MH, Secemsky EA, Varcoe RL. Is there a real association between paclitaxel devices and mortality? Time to pause and re-evaluate what we know about this statistical finding. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019;8(10):e012524.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Nordanstig J, James S, Andersson M, Andersson M, Danielsson P, Gillgren P, et al. Mortality with paclitaxel-coated devices in peripheral artery disease. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(26):2538–46.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. McKinsey JF, Zeller T, Rocha-Singh KJ, Jaff MR, Garcia LA. Lower extremity revascularization using directional atherectomy: 12-month prospective results of the DEFINITIVE LE study. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2014;7(8):923–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Roberts D, Niazi K, Miller W, Krishnan P, Gammon R, Schreiber T, et al. Effective endovascular treatment of calcified femoropopliteal disease with directional atherectomy and distal embolic protection: final results of the DEFINITIVE Ca++ trial. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2014;84(2):236–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Rastan A, McKinsey JF, Garcia LA, Rocha-Singh KJ, Jaff MR, Noory E, et al. One-year outcomes following directional atherectomy of infrapopliteal artery lesions: subgroup results of the prospective, multicenter DEFINITIVE LE trial. J Endovasc Ther. 2015;22(6):839–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Brodmann M, Werner M, Holden A, Tepe G, Scheinert D, Schwindt A, et al. Primary outcomes and mechanism of action of intravascular lithotripsy in calcified, femoropopliteal lesions: results of disrupt PAD II. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2019;93(2):335–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Zeller T, Langhoff R, Rocha-Singh KJ, Jaff MR, Blessing E, Amann-Vesti B, et al. Directional atherectomy followed by a paclitaxel-coated balloon to inhibit restenosis and maintain vessel patency: twelve-month results of the DEFINITIVE AR study. Circ Cardiovasc Interv. 2017;10(9):e004848.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Stavroulakis K, Schwindt A, Torsello G, Stachmann A, Hericks C, Bosiers MJ, et al. Directional atherectomy with antirestenotic therapy vs drug-coated balloon angioplasty alone for isolated popliteal artery lesions. J Endovasc Ther. 2017;24(2):181–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Gray WA, Cardenas JA, Brodmann M, Werner M, Bernardo NI, George JC, et al. Treating post-angioplasty dissection in the femoropopliteal arteries using the tack endovascular system: 12-month results from the TOBA II study. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2019;12(23):2375–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Adam DJ, Beard JD, Cleveland T, Bell J, Bradbury AW, Forbes JF, et al. Bypass versus angioplasty in severe ischaemia of the leg (BASIL): multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2005;366(9501):1925–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Neville RF, Capone A, Amdur R. A single center experience comparing tibial bypass with heparin-bonded ePTFE vs saphenous vein. J Vasc Surg. 2010;52:1746–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Giles KA, Pomposelli FB, Spence TL, Hamdan AD, Blattman SB, Panossian H, et al. Infrapopliteal angioplasty for critical limb ischemia: relation of TransAtlantic InterSociety consensus class to outcome in 176 limbs. J Vasc Surg. 2008;48(1):128–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Joels CS, York JW, Kalbaugh CA, Cull DL, Langan EM 3rd, Taylor SM. Surgical implications of early failed endovascular intervention of the superficial femoral artery. J Vasc Surg. 2008;47(3):562–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Neville RF, Capone A, Amdur R, Lidsky M, Babrowicz J, Sidawy AN. A comparison of tibial artery bypass performed with heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and great saphenous vein to treat critical limb ischemia. J Vasc Surg. 2012;56(4):1008–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Hobson RW 2nd, Lynch TG, Jamil Z, Karanfilian RG, Lee BC, Padberg FT Jr, et al. Results of revascularization and amputation in severe lower extremity ischemia: a five-year clinical experience. J Vasc Surg. 1985;2(1):174–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Garg K, Kaszubski PA, Moridzadeh R, Rockman CB, Adelman MA, Maldonado TS, et al. Endovascular-first approach is not associated with worse amputation-free survival in appropriately selected patients with critical limb ischemia. J Vasc Surg. 2014;59(2):392–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Menard MT, Farber A, Assmann SF, Choudhry NK, Conte MS, Creager MA, et al. Design and rationale of the best endovascular versus best surgical therapy for patients with critical limb ischemia (BEST-CLI) trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2016;5(7):e003219.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  49. Popplewell MA, Davies H, Jarrett H, Bate G, Grant M, Patel S, et al. Bypass versus angioplasty in severe ischaemia of the leg - 2 (BASIL-2) trial: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2016;17:11.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  50. Biagioni RB, Nasser F, Matielo MF, Burihan MC, Brochado Neto FC, Ingrund JC, et al. Comparison of bypass and endovascular intervention for popliteal occlusion with the involvement of trifurcation for critical limb ischemia. Ann Vasc Surg. 2020;63:218–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Altreuther M, Mattsson E. Long-term limb salvage and amputation-free survival after femoropopliteal bypass and femoropopliteal PTA for critical ischemia in a clinical cohort. Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2019;53(2):112–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Dayama A, Tsilimparis N, Kolakowski S, Matolo NM, Humphries MD. Clinical outcomes of bypass-first versus endovascular-first strategy in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia due to infrageniculate arterial disease. J Vasc Surg. 2019;69(1):156–63.e1.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  53. Faglia E, Clerici G, Clerissi J, Gabrielli L, Losa S, Mantero M, et al. Long-term prognosis of diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia: a population-based cohort study. Diabetes Care. 2009;32(5):822–7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  54. Mustapha JA, Saab FA, Clair D, Schneider P. Interim results of the PROMISE I trial to investigate the LimFlow system of percutaneous deep vein arterialization for the treatment of critical limb ischemia. J Invasive Cardiol. 2019;31(3):57–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Schmidt A, Schreve MA, Huizing E, Del Giudice C, Branzan D, Ünlü Ç, et al. Midterm outcomes of percutaneous deep venous arterialization with a dedicated system for patients with no-option chronic limb-threatening ischemia: the ALPS multicenter study. J Endovasc Ther. 2020;27(4):658–65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Mustapha JA, Diaz-Sandoval LJ, Saab F. Infrapopliteal calcification patterns in critical limb ischemia: diagnostic, pathologic and therapeutic implications in the search for the endovascular holy grail. J Cardiovasc Surg. 2017;58(3):383–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Paul, T.K., Banerjee, S. (2022). Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: Evaluation and Management. In: Shammas, N.W. (eds) Peripheral Arterial Interventions. Contemporary Cardiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09741-6_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09741-6_16

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-09740-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-09741-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics