The role of endovascular therapy in the treatment of critical limb ischemia

Matthew Menard, M.D.

Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

The article deals with advantages and unsolved problems of endovascular treatment in patients with lower limb peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This is accompanied by a brief excursion into historical domain, pointing out a staggering increase in the number of endovascular interventions. At the same time, it is noted that the strength of the evidence-based data contained in the currently available literature supporting long-term efficacy of endovascular therapy for lower extremity occlusive disease is weak, and hence there are no undisputable advantages of this therapeutic modality over open surgical interventions. In conclusion, it is underlined that the choice of therapy offered to a given patient should be individualized to each encountered clinical situation, taking into account the well-known benefits and shortcomings of both treatment strategies.

KEY WORDS: endovascular surgery, lower limb critical ischemia.

P. 57-59

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