Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) is a severe condition of PAD in which there is severe obstruction of the arteries causing seriously decreased blood flow to the extremities and has progressed to the point of severe pain and even skin ulcers or sores.  The pain from CLI can be so severe that it can wake up an individual at night.  This pain is sometimes referred to as “rest pain”. 

Besides the current treatments for PAD, CLI treatment may also include use of a Laser to vaporize the initial blocked artery.  Physicians at Genesis use the Excimer Laser System from Spectranetics.
With cool laser therapy a small fiber optic catheter is moved to the top, or cap, of the blockage in the artery. When the catheter reaches the blockage site it transmits short bursts of "cool" ultraviolet energy through the flexible fibers of the catheter. The ultraviolet energy penetrates the top of the lesion, vaporizing a small portion of the blockage.

The laser catheter moves slowly through the blockage, one millimeter per second, vaporizing the blockage. Most laser procedures are also followed with additional angioplasty and possible stent placement.