Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI)

Ochsner Health is dedicated to providing exceptional, patient-centered care for CLI, a serious condition requiring expert attention. Here’s why Ochsner is the right choice for your CLI care:

1. Cutting-edge treatments: Our team utilizes the latest advancements in CLI care, offering innovative therapies designed to improve outcomes and enhance quality of life for patients facing this life-threatening condition
2. Collaborative team approach: At Ochsner, your care is guided by a team of bilingual specialists across multiple disciplines, including interventional cardiology, podiatry, vascular medicine, wound care, physical rehabilitation, nutrition, infectious disease, plastic surgery, pathology, endocrinology and cardiology. This approach ensures every aspect of your health is addressed.
3. Patient-centered care: From your first visit, you and your family will feel supported. We prioritize personalized care, creating treatment plans tailored to your specific needs and goals.
4. Community education and awareness: CLI is often underdiagnosed, and Ochsner is committed to educating the community about its risks and symptoms, helping patients seek care earlier to prevent serious complications.

Early detection of CLI is crucial. Certain factors can increase your risk of developing this serious condition. These include:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Advanced age
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Family history of cardiovascular disease
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle

If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to monitor your health closely and seek medical attention if you notice any concerning symptoms.

Recognizing the symptoms of CLI early can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes. Common symptoms include:

• Numbness or severe pain in your legs and feet while at rest
• A noticeable decrease in the temperature of your lower leg or foot compared to the rest of your body
• Sores or ulcers on your feet or toes that won’t heal or are slow to heal
• Thickened toenails
• Smooth, shiny, dry skin on your legs or feet
• Diminished or absent pulse in your legs or feet
• Gangrene

CLI is a potentially limb-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment to restore blood flow. Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment options may include medications, endovascular treatments or arterial surgery. The Ochsner Health team is committed to doing everything possible to prevent the need for amputation and improve your quality of life.

The Ochsner team is currently part of the Promise II Trial, researching new devices that will help improve blood flow to the limb in patients with late-stage chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is the most advanced form of PAD. The LimFlow approach to treating CLTI involves the concept of venous arterialization.

The purpose of this clinical study is to evaluate a new device designed to create a connection between the artery and vein in the Below The Knee (BTK) vascular system using a minimally invasive approach. This procedure is only for patients with “critical limb ischemia” that are not likely to be helped with standard operations or procedures. If you choose to take part in the study, you will receive the device to attempt to connect an artery and a vein to restore blood flow to the foot. The LimFlow System and procedure are experimental, meaning that they are being tested and are not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for sale.

Amputation is a serious procedure with a significant risk of mortality, making it essential to seek a second opinion before moving forward. The Ochsner Health team is here to provide timely second opinions, ensuring you have all the information and options available to make the best decision for your care. 

Call the Ochsner Critical Limb Ischemia team today at 504-842-7434.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a severe and advanced stage of peripheral artery disease (PAD). It occurs when there is a significant reduction in blood flow to the hands, feet or legs due to a severe buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition can cause symptoms such as chronic leg pain, non-healing sores or ulcers, and even tissue damage. Without treatment, CLI can lead to serious complications, including amputation or life-threatening conditions.

CLI develops as a result of atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries, causing them to narrow and restrict blood flow. Over time, this reduced blood flow can become severe enough to cause pain, ulcers or tissue damage in the affected limbs. Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase the likelihood of developing CLI. It is a progressive condition that requires prompt medical attention to prevent serious complications.