title: The pros and cons of endovascular and open surgical treatments for patients with acute limb ischemia.
abstract: The present review addresses the pros and cons of the current, wide variety of therapeutic options available for the treatment of acute limb ischemia (ALI). Despite five prospective randomized controlled trials comparing catheter directed thrombolysis and open surgical revascularization, no single treatment strategy can yet be considered optimal for patients with ALI. This report includes 20 years of published data to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of thrombolytic agents and adjunctive endovascular techniques when compared to open surgical revascularization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA - jmills@u.arizona.edu.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Branco
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Montero-Baker
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mills
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects