title: Strategies to Approaching Lower Limb Occlusions.
abstract: Endovascular management of chronic total occlusions (CTO) can be challenging both from decision-making and technical perspectives. Successful treatment and management of a CTO requires the operator to have an understanding of the salient imaging findings, a thorough knowledge of the various technical challenges of the procedure, and comprehension of the importance and necessity of long-term clinical management. This article outlines a general approach to endovascular management of lower limb CTOs and discusses indications, techniques, potential complications, and therapeutic options of the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA. Electronic address: lrw6n@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Luke R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Wilkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA.
authors.forename: Saher S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Sabri
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000792:Angiography; D016638:Critical Illness; D019091:Critical Pathways; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D023821:Limb Salvage; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D018579:Patient Selection; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency
keywords: Chronic total occlusion; Critical limb ischemia; Limb salvage; Peripheral vascular disease