Combined Treatment for Non-Healing Wounds in Chronic Lower Extremity Arterial Disease: a Comparative Study

Chronic obliterative diseases of the lower extremity arteries, or peripheral artery disease (PAD), result from systemic atherosclerosis and affect about 202 million adults globally. This condition, marked by progressive arterial stenosis or occlusion, is associated with significant risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, and hypertension. PAD can lead to symptoms ranging from pain and fatigue to severe complications like non-healing chronic wounds. These wounds impose a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems and significantly impact patients' quality of life. In some countries, over 2.5 million people suffer from chronic non-healing ulcers, with high rates of recurrence and poor healing outcomes. Managing these wounds is costly, with significant indirect costs due to loss of productivity. Post-amputation survival rates are low, and traditional treatments often fail to fully address the issue. Endovascular interventions, such as balloon angioplasty and stenting, are preferred for PAD due to their safety and effectiveness. However, current methods for treating chronic non-healing wounds remain insufficient. Recent advancements in cell biotechnology, particularly fibroblast therapy, show promise for improving wound healing. Fibroblasts play a key role in tissue repair and inflammation. There is a need for more research on the effectiveness of combining fibroblast therapy with existing treatments for chronic non-healing wounds in PAD patients. Addressing this gap could lead to better treatment outcomes and improved quality of life for affected individuals. The aim of this study is to develop, assess the effectiveness, and evaluate the safety of a combined treatment method for managing chronic non-healing wounds in patients with chronic obliterative disease of the lower extremity arteries.