Treatment of critical lower limb ischemia

Abstract

Critical limb ischemia is a major public health problem in our western countries due to the epidemia of «diabesity». The outcome of patients suffering from critical limb ischemia remains poor with an amputation free survival rate at one year of about 50%. The treatment should be multidiciplinary and done in emergency in specialized centers to ensure the limb salvage : this management should be centered aroud 3 axis : the screening of the cardiovascular risk factors, the best medical treatment and the invasive approaches. Due to multiple endovascular technical innovations, more frail patients with complex diseases can be treated with good results. Therefore, the endovascular treatment is essential in the management of such patients by vascular surgeons.