Do not perform open or endovascular treatment of lower limb lesions unless there is disabling claudication, critical limb ischemia or diabetic foot.

Do not perform open or endovascular treatment of lower limb lesions unless there is disabling claudication, critical limb ischemia or diabetic foot.

Type of practice

Other treatments

Age

Adult, Geriatric

Topic Area

Vascular Surgery

Treating a stenotic or occluded artery of the lower limbs that does not cause symptoms is inappropriate. There is no evidence that such a treatment would improve the evolution of the disease. Any treatment may expose the patient to the risk of relapse, often with a final result that is worse than before the procedure.

Sources

1. Rutherford RB, Flanigan DP, Gupta SK, et al: Suggested standards for reports dealing with lower extremity ischemia. J Vasc Surg 1986; 4: 80–94.
2. Standards of Practice Committee of the Society of Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology. Guidelines for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Radiology 1990; 177: 619–626.
3. Salmistraro G, Camporese G, Martini R, ScomparinMA, Verlato F, Andreozzi GM: Utilità dello screeningper l’arteriopatia obliterante periferica. Min Cardioangiol 2008; 56(s1): 67-70.

Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.