Turning the Key to Critical Limb Ischemia Therapy

elcome to the Critical Limb Ischemia Com- pendium, or CLIC, which was born out of the need to provide more in- formation to health care providers treating patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI), who are often left with minimal to no options for care. It is time to turn the key that opens the door to CLI therapy and just treat CLI. The time has come for vascular spe- cialists to create a movement in the implementation of therapeutic plans for CLI patients that includes prom- ising alternatives to amputation. The time has come to ask for more resourc- es, tools, data, medications, and systems of care for the sick CLI patient. The spectrum of presentation of CLI has changed and therefore it is time for CLI therapy goals to change. CLI used to be the disease of elderly and debilitated patients. This is no longer true. CLI is claim- ing younger patients every day and is reaching epidemic proportions. Given the predicted morbidity and mortality associated with CLI, vascular specialists, family physi- cians, podiatrists, and wound care specialists have to turn the key by using each of their educational backgrounds and clinical expe- rience to provide the level and spectrum of appropriate care these patients need. As the impact of this disease continues to broaden, so do the skills, tools, and medi- cines available to counter the pro- gressive stages of the disease. Each member of the team with his or her unique and varied skill set has something to contribute to the therapeutic algorithm of the CLI patient. So let's put our hands to- gether, unify directed efforts and "Just treat it!"