Chronic critical limb ischemia: European experiences

Abstract

Chronic critical limb ischemia still poses a substantial threat to both limb and life of the affected patients since these patients suffer typically also from associated cardiac and cerebrovascular disease and other severe comorbidities. Due to improved secondary prevention strategies and dedicated technical innovation, however, clinical outcomes have improved in the recent years. Purpose of this article is to provide a balanced discussion of contemporary treatment concepts for patients with critical limb ischemia with a focus on arterial revascularization.