Executive Summary 2023 – Highlights

EUROPE CHAPTER UPDATES

The Europe Chapter was founded in 2022 to address health policy and clinical challenges of CLI specific to European Countries. Its office seat is in Brussels, close to the European policy makers, and specifically focused on Europe to address the major differences that currently exists between the healthcare systems within its 27 member states. In 2023, the Board was expanded to include 3 new members – Prof. Marianne Brodmann, MD, an interventional angiologist from Graz, Austria, Dr. Daniel van den Heuvel, MD, an interventional radiologist from Nieuwegein, The Netherlands, and Dr. Mark Portou, a vascular surgeon from London, England. The EU Chapter is working to engage the EU Commission.

2023 also brought new collaborations with a co-developed session at the German CLI Kongress and AMP Europe as well as participation at a round-table session focusing on CLI at the annual meeting of the Italian Society for Angiology and Vascular Medicine. A study looking into the relationship of reimbursement of cost of CLI care and amputation rates in Europe has taken place and is under preparation for journal submission. A new study, in collaboration with the WifOR Institute is underway with the objective to develop a better understanding of potential impact from an overall economic point of view across Europe for CLTI.

Professor Zeller is leading two study projects with a large German health insurance company. One is exploring target limb revascularization and amputation rates after femoro-popliteal interventions that took place before and after the FDA paclitaxel warning. The second project will explore amputation and survival rates of CLTI patients in Germany stratified to disease level and type of care (conservative, endovascular, open surgical and primary amputation).

JOURNAL OF CRITICAL LIMB ISCHEMIA CELEBRATES TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY

The Journal of Critical Limb Ischemia was launched in March 2021 and is a unique publication associated with the Society and the only scientific journal focused solely on CLI and amputation prevention. The Journal publishes peer-reviewed articles focused on critical limb ischemia, clinical care, research, and education. Each manuscript undergoes multiple independent peer reviews and is then vigorously reviewed by an editorial board and managing editor. A significant milestone was reached as the Journal was recently accepted by SCOPUS, the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature, with submission to PubMed currently in process.

The journal is led by Editor-In-Chief, Jihad A. Mustapha, MD, JCLI. Professor Jos van den Berg was elected to the position of Associate Editor in 2023. Prof. van den Berg is an interventional radiologist, the Chairman of the CLI Global Society Europe office and affiliated with Clinica Luganese Moncucco in Lugano, Switzerland. The Journal received Scopus indexing in 2023. An application to PubMed for indexing is in process. Dr. Tatsuya Nakama, MD was recognized as the 2023 Journal of Critical Limb Ischemia Reviewer of the Year for his contribution, expertise, attention, and service to JCLI.Dr. Nakama is an interventional cardiologist affiliated with Tokyo Bay Medical Center in Tokyo, Japan.

MCLIN

The monthly Multidisciplinary CLI Network (MCLIN). MCLIN is an accredited, live, monthly discussion focused on complex case studies and complications dedicated to CLI.This is an exclusive member-only benefit for CLI Global Society members. In 2023, MCLIN hosted moderators, faculty and attendees from five continents

ADA INITIATIVES

The CLI Global Society is a Proud Partner and Member of the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) Amputation Prevention Alliance (APA) with member representation on the Clinical Advisory Working Group. The mission of the APA is aligned with the CLI Global Society with its focus on saving limbs and lives, including among communities facing disproportionately high rates of amputations and amputated-related mortality. This work includes advancing needed policy changes, driving clinical awareness of opportunities to prevent amputations, and empowering patients to advocate for their best care. To address this crisis, the ADA has established the APA in partnership with innovators, clinical experts, leading health foundations, leaders in the diabetes community, policymakers, and provider groups. The mission is to disrupt the curve of amputations among low-income and minority individuals with diabetes.

The Leapfrog Group and the ADA partnered to launch an inpatient diabetes recognition program called Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes.Drs. Mustapha and Neville sat on planning group to develop this initiative. More info here:
https://www.leapfroggroup.org/recognized-leader-diabetes.