Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) in Diabetics affects infra-inguinal arteries more than the aorto-iliac system. Even though claudication is the commonest symptom of PVD, a diabetic is more likely to present with tissue loss without any previous symptoms

Diabetic PVD is a more aggressive disease. Rapid progression of 'early' critical limb ischemia (CLI) to gangrene occurs in 40% of the diabetics as opposed to 9% in non diabetics. Sudden progression from intermittent claudication to limb threatening ischemia occurs in 35% of diabetics (19% in non-DM) with 21% risk of major amputation.

A thorough evaluation of the diabetic foot is done at the center to decide on the modality of treatment. Management involves

At the center the Foot care specialist, Interventional Radiologist and Vascular surgeons work in unison, so as to perform foot sparing reconstructive procedures at the right time and thus prevent unnecessary amputation.