Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the advanced stage of peripheral arterial disease, which impairs blood flow to the extremities due to occlusion of arteries, in which patients suffer from ischemic pain at rest and gangrene or ulcers. It is frequently accompanied by major adverse cardiac events, resulting in exceedingly high mortality from a cardiac or cerebrovascular event in this population. Although there have been considerable amounts of novel and costly revascularization and wound dressing technology, mortality is still high. Therefore, the risk factors for such high mortality need to be addressed. This review aimed to summarize the potential risk factors for mortality in patients with CLI of the lower extremities. There are several such risk factors, including modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. This review further discusses some highlighted major modified risk factors, including renal failure, cardiovascular, and diabetes. The strategy of regular surveillance and modification of such risk factors in any patients with CLI should be developed.
Keywords: cardiac disease; critical limb ischemia; diabetes; mortality; renal failure.