[Angiosome-directed revascularization of critical limb ischaemia]

Critical limb ischaemia is the major cause of amputation in the developed world. When performing revascularization of the lower limb, guidelines recommend grafting of the "least diseased distal artery with the best continuous run-off to the ankle/foot... regardless of location" often implying indirect perfusion of the ischaemic area through collaterals. An alter-native strategy, called the "angiosome model", advocates a strategy which provides blood supply directly to the ischaemic area. This paper reviews the current evidence of indirect versus angiosome-directed revascularization of the lower limb.