Understanding Critical Limb Ischemia
Critical limb ischemia, also known as chronic limb-threatening ischemia, develops from severe peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs from plaque buildup in the arteries. The risk of this condition tends to grow as we age, especially if you have other risk factors, including diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, or being a smoker.
This condition limits the blood flow to one or more of your extremities, often resulting in pain, numbness and tingling in the affected limbs. Another common complication of critical limb ischemia is slow-healing wounds, especially on the feet, where blood flow is furthest from the heart. Even if you just think you may be at risk for the condition, it’s important to get a medical opinion as soon as possible. As many as a third of people with this condition ultimately lose a limb, and a fourth of those affected develop complications, like a stroke that can lead to death.
Critical Limb Ischemia vs. Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia — Is There A Difference?
If you look into surgery or endovascular therapy for chronic limb-threatening ischemia, you may notice that some resources refer to the condition as such, and others use the term critical limb ischemia. This condition experienced a name change in 2019. While critical limb ischemia is still an accurate term for your condition, your provider may also reference chronic limb-threatening ischemia when discussing treatment.
