Using the epidemiology of critical limb ischemia to estimate the number of patients amenable to endovascular therapy

Vasc Med. 2020 Feb;25(1):78-87. doi: 10.1177/1358863X19878271. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Abstract

Critical limb ischemia represents the advanced stage of peripheral artery disease, a health problem with increasing prevalence. Critical limb ischemia is associated with significant mortality, limb loss, pain, and diminished health-related quality of life. Public awareness and early diagnosis are necessary for an effective treatment with early risk factor modification, smoking cessation, and exercise therapy. Herein, we present an overview of the epidemiology as well as the clinical stages of the disease, and estimate that there are 6.5 million patients with critical limb ischemia in the US, Europe, and Japan based on global population-based studies. At least 75% of these patients, accounting for approximately 4.8 million patients, are amenable to endovascular therapy.

Keywords: classification; critical limb ischemia (CLI); endovascular therapy; epidemiology; vascular registries.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Critical Illness
  • Endovascular Procedures* / adverse effects
  • Endovascular Procedures* / mortality
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / diagnosis
  • Ischemia / epidemiology*
  • Ischemia / mortality
  • Ischemia / therapy*
  • Patient Selection
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / diagnosis
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / epidemiology*
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / mortality
  • Peripheral Arterial Disease / therapy*
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome