Revascularization in Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Outcome

Diabetes is a major public health problem regionally and globally. In 2019, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that 465 million (9.3%) people worldwide had diabetes, and by 2045, the number may rise to 700 million (10.9%) [1]. The pooled prevalence of diabetes in the general population of Bangladesh is 7.8% and prevalence of pre-diabetes is 10.1% [2]. Diabetes is a complex disease with many serious potential sequelae, including large vessel arterial disease and microvascular dysfunction. The lifetime risk for foot ulcers in people with diabetes is estimated to be 15% [3]. Development of diabetic foot ulcer is attributed to many interacting factors, the most common ones being peripheral neuropathy and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) [4]. PAD is an important precipitating factor in the outcome of diabetic foot ulcer [4]. Peripheral arterial disease is a common large vessel complication of diabetes, implicated in the development of tissue loss in up to half of patients with diabetic foot ulceration [5]. Diabetic patients with PAD commonly show involvement of the arteries below the knee, especially at the tibial and peroneal arteries, and involvement of the profunda femoris [6]. Diabetic ulcers always require vascular evaluation, and when ischaemia is suspected the diagnostics should be organized rapidly to ensure revascularisation without delay. Foot ulcer in patients with diabetes is associated with an increased risk of lower limb amputation, and thus the primary aim of treatment for ischemic foot ulcer is limb preservation [4]. Invasive revascularization, including open reconstructive surgery and/or endovascular intervention, is the most effective treatment that may improve peripheral circulation and remedy symptoms [4]. The basic aim of any successful revascularization is to achieve pulsatile flow to the foot. The two methods currently available are peripheral bypass surgery and peripheral angioplasty [7]. Current literature shows that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the first choice of procedures in revascularization of the lower limb [7].