Critical Limb Ischemia: An Endovascular and Surgical Challenge

Identifying patients with critical limb ischemia and determining the most effective methods of therapy — either surgical or endovascular — pose great challenges. Eventually, we hope to see a robust set of clinical data that will allow us to effectively salvage limbs and tissue. However, given this very difficult disease process, we have sought to understand both the clinical evaluation and risk or progression of this disease entity as well as the various methods used for revascularization. In this and subsequent issues of Vascular Disease Management, we have asked several experts in endovascular and surgical therapy to weigh in on the various options in treating lower-extremity critical limb ischemia. We hope this will allow us to further understand the process by which our patients present with critical limb ischemia and will ultimately provide the potential options for patients in need of limb salvage.

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From Interventional Cardiology, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. The author reports no conflicts of interest regarding the content herein. Address for correspondence: Lawrence A. Garcia, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chief, Interventional Cardiology, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, 736 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02135. E-mail: lawrence.garcia@caritaschristi.org