Chronic limb-threatening ischaemia: current knowledge and future perspectives

The incidence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has risen dramatically, and it is estimated to affect around 200 million people worldwide.This rise can be explained by an ageing population, persisting high rates of tobacco smoking and the increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM). 1,2Chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) is the most severe manifestation of PAD and is characterized by rest pain and/or tissue loss (e.g.ulceration or gangrene). 1It is estimated that CLTI affects about 10% of all patients with PAD. 3