Relief for CLI Patients

Minimally-invasive procedure for Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI)

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Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is an obstruction of the arteries that decreases blood flow to the legs. It can lead to severe pain, skin ulcers and sores. CLI is a condition of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which affects the arteries outside of the heart.

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For 85-year-old Dorothy McCullough of Round Rock, excruciating pain in her legs was a constant companion she was learning to live with, but when she noticed a black spot on her heel, she knew it was nothing to ignore. After seeing her doctor at the Scott & White Clinic in Cedar Park, Mrs. McCullough was referred to podiatrist Dr. Lawrence Lavery, who diagnosed her with critical limb ischemia (CLI), an obstruction of the arteries that decreases blood flow to the legs. It can lead to severe pain, skin ulcers and sores. CLI is a condition of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which affects the arteries outside of the heart.

Mrs. McCullough was eventually referred to Dr. Timothy Mixon, an interventional cardiologist who also specializes in the treatment of PAD at the Scott & White Heart and Vascular Institute, who thought she was a good candidate for a minimally invasive procedure to treat her problem.

“While a traditional surgical approach was not deemed possible, I felt like Mrs. McCullough had options through endovascular therapy, which is a way for us to get direct access to the artery without surgery,” Dr. Mixon said. “We brought her to the catheterization lab and did angioplasty and stenting, similar to what we would do in the heart. She responded very well to the treatment and quickly noticed relief from the pain.”

During the procedure, a guide wire is passed through the femoral artery and guided down the leg. The wire can be used to insert a stent to help keep the artery open, or a balloon, which is used to enlarge the artery enough to increase blood flow. Once the blood flow is increased to the limb, symptoms of pain and ulcerations decrease and often completely disappear.

Because the procedure was minimally invasive, Mrs. McCullough’s recovery time was very short, and she was back up on her feet the same day.

“I have not had any pain in that leg since I had my procedure,” she said. “Before, I could barely finish my housework because the pain was so bad. I could not walk long distances at all. Now, I never sit down. I am very thankful I saw Dr. Mixon. He not only saved my foot, but helped take away the pain.”

Though she still suffers from PAD, she has minimal symptoms and one month after her procedure her ulcerations had completely healed.

“I think we had great results with Mrs. McCullough,” Dr. Mixon said. “She responded very well to the treatment and has had a wonderful recovery.”