ONLINE LEARNING
Prof. Jos C. van den Berg joined a Backtable podcast in April, addressing the global challenges of CLI elaborating on the critical role that collaboration plays among healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes and reduce the incidence of amputations associated with CLI. The benefits of joining the CLI Global Society, including significant discounts on registration for various European congresses, were highlighted. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of engaging with the MCLIN where professionals can partake in discussion boards facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaborative problem-solving among various specialties. In October, the EU chapter led a webinar on “Effect of Rivaroxaban and Aspirin on Patients with PAD Undergoing Revascularization,” featuring insights from Prof. Marianne Brodmann from the Medical University of Graz, and Prof. Dr. med. Rupert Bauersachs of CCB Gefäß Zentrum
COLLABORATIONS
EU Chapter of the CLI Global Society collaborated in the co-development of sessions at Amputation Prevention Symposium (AMP) Europe, Imendoforum, CLI Kongress, and PVI. These partnerships are pivotal for unifying efforts across disciplines, bringing together vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, and other specialists dedicated to combatting CLI globally.
PROJECTS
The EU Chapter is engaged in the Research programme for the Irish Medtech Skillnet performed by the WIFOR Institute, which aims to continue prevention efforts and improved treatment strategies key to ameliorating morbidity and mortality associated with CLTI. The scope of this project is to develop understanding of potential impact from an overall economic point of view across Europe for CLTI. Germany will be used as pilot country and results will be extrapolated, if possible, to Europe. The final report was finalized in December 2024. Prof. Thomas Zeller is part of the “WOUND infection and clinical outcomes in patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia” WOUNDSinCLTI study. This prospective multi-center study will enroll 701 patients in about 15 study sites in Europe.
The Multidisciplinary CLI Network (MCLIN), led by Education Co-Chairs Dr. Eric Dippel and Dr. David Yeager hosts highly engaging monthly meetings with members dedicated to advancing CLI treatment and preventing amputations. These monthly meetings feature outstanding complex case presentations, showcasing collaborative, real-world problem-solving. Expert panels consistently include diverse perspectives from Interventional Cardiology, Interventional Radiology, Vascular Surgery, and Podiatry, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to improving patient outcomes.
The Journal of Critical Limb Ischemia (JCLI) is the only scientific peer-reviewed journal focused solely on CLI and amputation prevention. JCLI publishes peer-reviewed articles on CLI clinical care, research, and education. JCLI was accepted by SCOPUS in 2023, the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature. The Journal’s application to PubMed is currently under viewer. JCLI is led by Editor-In-Chief, Jihad A. Mustapha, MD and Associate Editor, Professor Jos. C van den Berg, MD. Dr. Marta Lobato, MD was recognized as the 2024 Journal of Critical Limb Ischemia Reviewer of the Year for her contribution, expertise, attention, and service to JCLI. Dr. Lobato is a vascular and endovascular surgeon affiliated with the Hospital Universitario de Cruces in Spain.
In 2024, the American Diabetes Association’s Amputation Prevention Alliance (APA) made significant strides in advancing awareness, prevention, and treatment of conditions that can lead to preventable diabetes-related amputations, including diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and vascular disease. The APA led a summer series Preventing Diabetic Foot Ulcers: From Awareness to Innovation, which highlighted advancements in DFU prevention and care. Patient and provider tools were developed, including the Missed Opportunities Map, designed to pinpoint gaps in care and improve early intervention. On the policy side, the APA developed recommendations – in collaboration with its Clinical Advisory Working Group – for the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) aimed at improving quality measures in amputation prevention.
