A Hospital-Based Prospective Short-Term Study on Efficacy of Infrapopliteal Angioplasty in Critical Limb Ischaemia in Terms of Limb Salvage and Quality of Life

Abstract

Introduction: Critical limb ischaemia (CLI) refers to chronic ischaemic pain at rest, ulcers or gangrene due to arterial occlusive disease. It is the end stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD). The commonly available treatment is amputation in a low-income family, which is quite disastrous. Aim: This study aimed to find out the efficacy of infrapopliteal angioplasty in tibial lesions of CLI patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted on 50 patients with CLI. The patient was taken up for tibial angioplasty and followed up for 4 months. Results: At the end of 4 months, the limb salvage rate was 92% and major amputation rate was 8%. The role of angioplasty in limb salvage is undoubted and has resulted in high levels of limb salvage. Conclusion: CLI lesion if amenable to revascularisation should have angioplasty with regular follow-up. Control of risk factors forms an integral part of the follow-up. Early detection of CLI is the need of the hour.