Non-Healing Ulcers Without Critical Limb Ischemia

Background: Lower limb arterial revascularization procedures, either percutaneously or surgically performed, are an established treatment modality of ischemic foot ulcers, especially in the setting of a critical limb ischemia. Many other lower limb ulcers are secondary to a combined disease, which may include a concomitant venous disease (chronic venous insufficiency or varicous disease) or a micro-angiopathic disease (i.e. small vessel disease). In this setting, and especially in the absence of a concomitant severe macro-angiopathic disease, the safety and efficacy of a percutaneous lower limb revascularization have so far never been evaluated in a prospective study. Aim: This study is aimed to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of an endovascular revascularization approach of the lower limb, in all consecutive patients presenting with a non-healing ulcer associated with a mild to moderate peripheral artery disease (i.e. mixed-origin ulcers). Material and methods: This prospective study will consecutively include all patients presenting with a non-healing ulcer. Included patients must have all the concomitant ulcer co-factors being adequately treated for at least 6 months. Accordingly, an underlying venous disease, infectious disease or inflammatory disorder must be previously evaluated and adequately treated (i.e. compression stocking, varices stripping, antibiotics, local ± systemic anti-inflammatory, etc.). Furthermore, a non-invasive arterial evaluation must be obtained in all patients. The arterial screening must included an ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe pressure (TP) measurements, a trans-cutaneous oxygen measurement (tcPO2) at the foot and calf levels and a non-invasive arterial mapping (i.e. angio-CT or angio-MRI). This arterial work-up must be compatible with the presence of a mild to moderate peripheral artery disease without any sign or criteria suggesting the presence of a critical limb ischemia. End-points: The success rate of perform an endo