What are the warning signs?
Calf or thigh pain while walking, cold feet, weak pulses, rest pain, ulcers, delayed wound healing and blackening of toes are important warning signs. Diabetes can mask pain, so wounds may be the first clue.
How is blood flow assessed?
Evaluation may involve Doppler ultrasound, ankle-brachial indices, CT angiography or catheter angiography depending on the clinical situation.
How can endovascular treatment help?
Blocked arteries may be crossed with guidewires and treated using angioplasty, drug-coated balloons, stents and, in selected cases, advanced technologies such as atherectomy or intravascular lithotripsy.
Limb salvage needs more than angioplasty
Successful care often combines revascularisation with wound treatment, infection control, diabetes management and pressure off-loading.
Pioneering advanced peripheral interventions
The practice archive highlights early/first regional use of advanced technologies such as Jetstream atherectomy, with subsequent adoption of IVL.
Restoring blood flow in limb-threatening ischemia
Representative case showing endovascular revascularisation and subsequent clinical improvement. Outcomes vary with the extent of tissue loss, infection and underlying disease.
Frequently asked questions
Does gangrene always mean amputation?
No. The amount of irreversible tissue loss and the possibility of restoring blood flow determine whether limb salvage is feasible.
Is angiography only diagnostic?
No. In many cases diagnostic angiography can be followed by endovascular treatment during the same session if appropriate.