Angiosome-oriented lower limb revascularization for the management of chronic ischemia and diabetic foot

Dimitrije Surla ,
Dimitrije Surla
Contact Dimitrije Surla

Department of General Surgery, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun , Beograd , Serbia

Marija Nikolić ,
Marija Nikolić

Department of General Surgery, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun , Beograd , Serbia

Nemanja Trifunović
Nemanja Trifunović

Department of General Surgery, Clinical Hospital Center Zemun , Beograd , Serbia

Published: 12.11.2025.

Volume 39, Issue 2 (2025)

pp. 32-39;

https://doi.org/10.63696/TMJ202502186

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic limb ischemia (CLI) and diabetic foot significantly impact patients’ quality of life, with high rates of amputation and mortality. Angiosome-oriented revascularization represents an anatomically precise approach, targeting the artery that directly supplies the lesion area. Direct revascularization (DR) is increasingly considered superior to indirect revascularization (IR) due to potentially better wound healing and limb salvage outcomes. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, with the keywords: angiosome, critical limb ischemia, diabetic foot, direct revascularization, endovascular, bypass surgery. Studies published between 2020 and 2025 were included, focusing on systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and prospective cohort and clinical studies. In addition to clinical studies, anatomical data on the distribution of foot and lower leg angiosomes were analyzed, including a table illustrating the correlation between wound location and target artery. Results: Six main angiosomes of the lower limb were identified, each corresponding to a specific artery. DR was associated with higher rates of wound healing and limb preservation, reducing the risk of amputation by 20–30% compared to IR. Optimal candidates for DR are those with localized lesions, patent distal target arteries, and adequate microcirculation. DR is less effective or technically unfeasible in patients with diffuse microvascular disease, multisegment occlusions, poor distal vessels, or active severe infections. Advanced technologies such as hyperspectral imaging and indocyanine green (ICG) mapping improve intraoperative perfusion assessment. Conclusion: Angiosome-oriented revascularization is a logical and anatomically grounded approach for treating CLI and diabetic foot. When feasible, DR of the target artery provides better clinical outcomes than IR. Success requires precise diagnostics, patient selection, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Further randomized studies are needed to define optimal application algorithms for this concept.

Keywords

References

1.
Moakes CA, Bradbury AW, Abdali Z, Bate GR, Hall J, Jarrett H, et al. BASIL-2 Investigators. Vein bypass first vs best endovascular treatment first revascularisation strategy for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia due to infra-popliteal disease: the BASIL-2 RCT. *Health Technol Assess*. 2024;28(65):1–72.
2.
Li X, Liu H, Yang C, Xiong A, He X, Tian X, et al. Application of free anterolateral thigh flap with fascia lata for diabetic foot ulcers with bone exposure. *Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi*. 2022;36(1):86–91.
3.
Felder JM, Nageeb E, Rocha I, Qasawa R, Moltaji S, Fuse Y. The role of flaps in preventing lower extremity amputations. *Semin Vasc Surg*. 2025;38(1):64–73.
4.
Patel RA, Fallon B, Brandis A, Chang K, Demarsico A. Outcomes of a multidisciplinary vascular practice: 12-month amputation-free survival and beyond in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia. *J Endovasc Ther*. 2024;31(5).
5.
Abdali Z, Kigozi J, Moakes CA, Bate GR, Hall J. A vein bypass first versus a best endovascular treatment first revascularization strategy for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia who require an infra-popliteal, with or without an additional more proximal infra-inguinal, revascularization procedure to restore limb perfusion: the BASIL-2 within-trial health economic analysis. *Br J Surg*. 2025;112(6).

Citation

Copyright

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 

Article metrics

Google scholar: See link

The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Most read articles

Partners