title: Evaluation of the patient who presents with critical limb ischemia: diagnosis, prognosis, and medical management.
abstract: Patients with critical limb ischemia usually have severe atherosclerotic disease and are at a high risk of limb loss as well as major adverse cardiovascular events. The current article provides a description of the clinical presentation of patients with critical limb ischemia and also discusses the initial evaluation of these patients, including physical examination, use of noninvasive vascular tests, and other imaging modalities. An overview of the general management of these patients is also provided, including the identification of patients who benefit from revascularization or primary amputation, principles of wound care, and therapies for cardiovascular risk reduction.
authors.affiliation: Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Miami, FL. Electronic address: Iand@baptisthealth.net.
authors.forename: Ian Del
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Conde
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Phillip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Erwin
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography / Q000639:trends*; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods
keywords: arterial ulcer; critical limb ischemia; peripheral arterial disease