Clinical Comprehension and Application of Angiosome Concept in Critical Limb Ischemia

Ian Taylor introduces the angiosome concept, separating the body into distinct three-dimensional blocks of tissue fed by source arteries. Understanding the angiosome of the foot and ankle and the interaction among their source arteries is clinically useful in surgical bypass or endovascular treatment of the foot and ankle, especially in the critical limb ischemia. The angiosome concept may provide useful information on the human vascular anatomy and related pathology, with specific applications in surgical and endovascular treatment. This knowledge may become particularly beneficial in critical limb ischemia, while treating advanced atherosclerotic disease. The implementation of angiosome derived strategies in critical limb ischemia may afford encouraging wound healing and limb salvage rates for both, surgical bypass or endovascular techniques. However, the angiosome concepts have several limitations, and thus, large comparative studies are necessary to support these concepts. This paper reviews the available literature on this revascularization strategy and focuses on the potential benefit of angiosome-guided treatment for patients of critical limb ischemia.