ABSTRACT

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most profound manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and is characterized by a constellation of syndromes: rest pain, ulcers that fail to heal, or frank gangrene (47). These patients are at a very high risk for limb loss without revascularization. Patients with CLI frequently have a large number of co-morbid diseases and high rates of cardiovascular events and mortality. Clearly, strategies to improve perfusion, even on a temporary basis, and permit wound healing would be of enormous clinical benefit.