According to THE SAGE GROUP, Over 3.5 Million Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) Patients Have Calcified Lower Limb Arteries

BEAUFORT, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new report published by THE SAGE GROUP reviews recent calcium research and quantifies the number of CLI patients with calcified leg arteries.

“Almost all CLI patients have arterial calcification. Calcification is associated with symptoms, increased amputation and higher mortality. In patients undergoing endovascular revascularization, the presence of calcium creates numerous challenges, including increased procedural complications,” stated Mary L. Yost, President.

“Both intimal artery calcification (IAC) and medial artery calcium (MAC) are found in the lower limb arteries. While equally prevalent in the femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal arteries, the type of calcification varies by vascular territory. MAC is more prevalent in the arteries below-the-knee,” Yost elucidated.

Characterized by severe linear vascular calcification, MAC is primarily found in the media but can also involve the intima. On plain X-rays, it shows up as a railroad track pattern. Located in the intima, IAC appears as dots or patchy areas of calcification.

According to Ms. Yost, “Coronary artery calcium has been studied extensively. However, much less is known about calcium in the lower limbs. With the recent publication of studies investigating calcium in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients, this knowledge gap has been reduced. In particular, research has focused on MAC, which predominates in the leg arteries, but not in the coronary arteries.”

“MAC is now considered an independent cause of PAD,” Yost stated. “MAC, a nonatherosclerotic disease, is strongly associated with aging, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.”

“In CLI patients, MAC predicts mortality, as well as major and minor amputation,” she continued.

About the Report: Calcium in Peripheral Artery Disease: Characteristics, Consequences and Prevalence by Vascular Territory and by Type Of Calcium

This report reviews the characteristics, consequences and prevalence of calcium in PAD and CLI.

The prevalence and severity of calcium in CLI patients and limbs is estimated for the 2020-2040 period. The percent prevalence of calcium is estimated for three vascular territories: aortoiliac, femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal. Estimates by type of calcium, medial and intimal, in each vascular territory are included.

Additional information: https://www.thesagegroup.us/reports/calcium-in-peripheral-artery-disease-characteristics-consequences-and-prevalence-by-vascular-territory-and-by-type-of-calcium/

THE SAGE GROUP, a research and consulting company, specializes in arterial and venous disease in the lower limbs.

Additional information: www.thesagegroup.us.