Endovascular Intervention for Critical Lower Limb Ischemia; a Review of Outcomes after Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty using Balloon Catheter

Abstract

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) of lower limb with variable morbidity can be manifested as an asymptomatic, sever or life threatening disease. It is also a major cause of disability in many cases.

The management of patients with PAD can be defined from a number of different treatment options in the terms of conservative-, interventional- and surgical therapies.

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) using balloon catheter as a revascularization procedure has been used with acceptable outcomes. The method results are highlighted with comparable success—and patency rates, low complications, improving the quality of life and survival. We reviewed published studies and found that PTA is an appropriate alternative in the management of patient with Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI). Better outcomes have been achieved using Drug Coated Balloons (DCB) as well as Drug Eluting Stents (DES). Atherectomy remains with controversial results. Patient characteristics, the presence of associated risk factors, characteristics of lesions and accompanied cardiopulmonary disease may be the main challenges to use of these treatment options in the future.