Retrograde Recanalization of Infrainguinal Arterial Occlusive Disease.

Retrograde Approach for Management of Infrainguinal Arterial Occlusive Disease After Failed Antegrade Approach in Critical Limb Ischemia Patients; Feasibility, Safety, and Procedure Related Outcomes.

The spectrum of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) ranges from exhibiting no symptoms to limb threatening gangrene. The number of patients living with it is rising steadily owing to increased life expectancy, obesity, diabetes, and tobacco consumption.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the terminal and the most serious stage of PAD in which blood flow to the lower extremity does not meet metabolic demands of the tissues at rest. The diagnosis is mainly clinical and patients are presented with rest pain, minimal tissue loss or frank gangrene.

Revascularization strategies include endovascular procedures and surgical bypass.Endovascular therapy has evolved as an attractive, minimally invasive method of revascularization especially in the more frequently encountered patients with medical and anatomical contraindications to surgical revascularization.

Antegrade approach is the standard approach in infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease,however, failure occurs in about 20% of infrainguinal attempts.Retrograde approach is used as a backup technique in failed cases.

Inclusion Criteria:

patients with;

1. CLI consistent with Rutherford categories (4-5).
2. Infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease with a patent distal part of at least one tibial vessel runoff to the foot.

Exclusion Criteria:

patients with the following conditions will be excluded:

1. Non-salvageable limbs.
2. Life threatening infections requiring major amputation.
3. Ulcers at the area of intended puncture.