title: Critical limb ischemia.
abstract: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) continues to be a significantly morbid disease process for the aging population. Rigid guidelines for the management of patients with CLI are inappropriate due to the complexities that are involved in optimally treating these patients. A thin line exists in the decision process between medical management vs surgical management by revascularization or amputation, and the perception of "success" in this patient population is evolving. This review explores these issues and examines the challenges the treating physician will face when managing the care of patients with CLI. The epidemiology and natural history of CLI is discussed, along with the pathophysiology of the disease process. A review of the literature in regards to the different treatment modalities is presented to help the physician optimize therapy for patients with CLI. New scoring systems to help predict outcomes in patients with CLI undergoing revascularization or amputation are discussed, and an overview of the current status of patient-oriented outcomes is provided. Finally, we briefly examine emerging therapies for the treatment of CLI and provide an algorithm to help guide the practicing physician on how to approach the critically ischemic limb with regard to the complicated issues surrounding these patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Ill 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Vinit N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Varu
authors.forename: Melissa E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.forename: Melina R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kibbe
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D016638:Critical Illness; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D023821:Limb Salvage; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012086:Reoperation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents