[Endovascular treatment of below the knee arteries in critical limb ischemia]

Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may cause claudication or in the late phase critical limb ischemia (CLI). Due to the constant aging of the population and an increased prevalence of diabetes, CLI has become a major clinical concern for every vascular specialist. CLI is defined as the presence of ischemic rest pain or foot ulcers and a hypoperfusion of the foot. In case of CLI, rapid revascularisation is mandatory, and failure may imply lower limb amputation. Thanks to improvement in technique and equipment, endovascular revascularisation is associated with very promising limb salvage rate. In many centers, this minimally invasive approach has become the treatment of choice for the majority of patients with CLI. This review illustrates the different techniques and the data for infra-popliteal endovascular interventions.