Evaluation of the Clinical Significance of Fluorescence Videoangiography With Indocyanine-Green

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) occurs when the peripheral microcirculation is impaired by arterial stenoses or occlusions. In opposite to earlier studies that only evaluated intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), rest pain and trophic changes in the affected extremity are due to reduced microcirculation. Though the main reason for CLI is the existing PAD, many processes responsible for pain and other pad-associated symptoms are triggered by a reduced microcirculation so that attempts to enhance the dermal perfusion by pharmacological or other manipulations may ameliorate the results of vascular treatment. These attempts may be the best options for patients, in which vascular surgery was not successful or primarily impossible.

A Laser-induced fluorescence videoangiography is currently being used in ophthalmology to display the vessels of the eye background. Due to technical improvements, it has become a standard procedure. This trial aims at establishing laser-induced fluorescence videoangiography as standard procedure in vascular surgery. This would be of benefit for the patient as the technique does not require the use of ionising radiation and is possible for patients suffering to renal failure.