Cryoplasty therapy for limb salvage in patients with critical limb ischemia

To report the 6-month outcomes from a prospective multicenter study investigating the use of cryoplasty (cold balloon angioplasty) to treat below-knee occlusive disease in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Between August 2004 and October 2005, 108 patients (77 men; mean age 73+/-12 years, range 41-101) with CLI involving 111 limbs were enrolled in a prospective multicenter trial (Below-the-Knee Chill Study), which was conducted at 16 institutions. The primary study endpoints were acute technical success, defined as the ability to achieve < or =50% residual stenosis and continuous inline flow to the foot, and absence of major (above or below-knee) amputation of the target limb 180 days post procedure.

Acute technical success was achieved in 108 (97.3%) of the 111 limbs treated, with only 1 (0.9%) clinically significant dissection (> or =type C) and 2 residual stenoses >50%. During the 180-day follow-up, 15 (13.9%) of the initial 108 patients either withdrew or were lost to follow-up. Five (4.6%) deaths occurred, leaving 88 (81.5%) patients with 91 (82.0%) treated limbs available for 180-day assessment. The rate of freedom from major amputation at 180 days was 93.4%. Amputation-free survival was 89.3% at 180 days (5 deaths, 6 major amputations). Stratifying data by diabetics (n=71) versus non-diabetics (n=34), the 180-day death and amputation rates were 4.9% and 10.0%, respectively, for diabetics versus 6.7% and 0.0%, respectively, for non-diabetics.

Cryoplasty therapy is a safe and effective method of treating infrapopliteal disease, providing excellent acute outcomes and a high rate of limb salvage in patients with CLI. Study outcomes support the use of cryoplasty therapy as a primary treatment option for patients with CLI secondary to below- knee disease.