Risk factors for reamputation in chronic limb-threatening ischemia: a scoping review

Authors

  • José M. Vilas-Boas Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, ULS São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4233-331X
  • Rita Piedade Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, ULS São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4308-1982
  • Emílio Silva Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, ULS São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal
  • Tiago C. Pereira Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, ULS São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7540-4311
  • Tiago Moura Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, ULS São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal
  • Diogo D. Monteiro Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, ULS São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal
  • Joana Ferreira Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, ULS São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6761-4881
  • Armando Mansilha Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, ULS São João, Porto, Portugal; Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Porto University, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6722-0476

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48750/acv.686

Keywords:

Reamputation, Risk factors, Chronic limb-threatening ischemia, Predictive models

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: After an initial amputation, up to 47% of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) experience reimputation, with debilitating consequences for patients and high healthcare costs. Identifying reimputation rates and risk factors is crucial to optimizing initial amputation-level decision-making. This review updates current evidence on reimputation rates and identifies key risk factors in patients with CLTI.

METHODS: A comprehensive review of the PubMed database was conducted to identify studies reporting reimputation rates and predictors in patients with CLTI. Keywords included: "reimputation", "risk factors", "CLTI", "Critical limb ischemia - CLI", and "dysvascular". We included seven retrospective cohort studies.

RESULTS: Reimputation rates ranged from 10% to 41%. Reimputation incidence varied widely by study population, follow-up duration, and initial amputation level. This review identified key predictors of reimputation, including diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency (especially end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis), prior revascularization, severe atherosclerotic disease, and more distal initial amputation levels. Additional risk factors identified in specific cohorts included older age, male sex, abnormal ankle-brachial index, ischemic pain, non-ambulatory status, and systemic inflammatory markers. Mortality after initial lower-extremity amputation remained high, though it was not consistently associated with reimputation.

CONCLUSION: Reimputation remains prevalent among CLTI patients. Early identification of high-risk individuals may support more appropriate surgical decision-making. Significant heterogeneity across studied populations underscores the need for future research using local data and developing context-specific predictive models.

 

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Published

2026-09-26

How to Cite

1.
Vilas-Boas JM, Piedade R, Silva E, Pereira TC, Moura T, D. Monteiro D, et al. Risk factors for reamputation in chronic limb-threatening ischemia: a scoping review. Angiol Cir Vasc [Internet]. 2026 Sep. 26 [cited 2026 Sep. 26];22(3):164-8. Available from: https://acvjournal.com/index.php/acv/article/view/686

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Review Article

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