Autologous Stem Cell-Transplantation for Therapeu- tic Angiogenesis in Patients with Chronic Critical Lower Limb Ischemia

+ ). Results Six months after SC-TX the combined endpoint consist- ing of limb salvage, reduction of pain at rest and progression of wound healing was achieved in 9/12 (75 %) patients. The ankle-bra- chial index significantly increased from 0.33 to 0.48 (p = 0.004) and was associated with improved skin surface temperature as judged by thermography. Increased collateral density was observed in 6/12 (50 %) patients six months after stem cell transplantation by conventional in- tra-arterial angiography. Mild edema of the treated limb was observed in 3/12 (25 %) patients after transplantation. No thromboembolic com- plication occurred with intra-arterial infusion of BM-MNC. Conclusion Intra-arterial transplantation of autologous BM-MNC is a feasible and save therapeutic option to induce angiogenesis in PAD grade III/IV. Larger randomized trials are required to evaluate the limb saving efficacy of SC-TX in chronic critical limb ischemia.