Evaluation Methods for Foot Perfusion in Critical Limb Ischemia

Abstract

Critical limb ischemia is a clinical syndrome of ischemic pain at rest or tissue loss resulting from non-healing ulcers or gangrene related to peripheral artery disease. The primary ther-apeutic goal is to preserve limb function. The most important factor for determining the healing potential of a wound is the degree of perfusion to the affected segment. Several tests objectively measure the degree of tissue perfusion: for example, ankle-brachial index, toe pressure, ultrasound, transcutaneous oxygen pressure, two-dimensional perfusion angiography, indocyanine green angiography, diagnostic nuclear medicine imaging, and laser doppler skin perfusion pressure. In this study, we investigated tests that can measure tissue perfusion and discussed the advantages and limitations of each test.