The angiosome and woundosome concepts in guiding revascularization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia and diabetic foot ulcers—a narrative review
Review Article

The angiosome and woundosome concepts in guiding revascularization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia and diabetic foot ulcers—a narrative review

Theodoros Moysidis1 ORCID logo, Lorenzo Patrone2, Dittmar Böckler3, Kathrin Niemöller1, Grigorios Korosoglou4,5

1Division of Internal Medicine V, Department of Angiology, Knappschaft Kliniken Westfalen, Dortmund, Germany; 2Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy; 3Department of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; 4Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, GRN Hospital Weinheim, Weinheim, Germany; 5Cardiovascular Imaging Center, Hector Foundation, Weinheim, Germany

Contributions: (I) Conception and design: T Moysidis, G Korosoglou; (II) Administrative support: G Korosoglou; (III) Provision of study materials or patients: L Patrone; (IV) Collection and assembly of data: T Moysidis; (V) Data analysis and interpretation: T Moysidis, L Patrone, G Korosoglou; (VI) Manuscript writing: All authors; (VII) Final approval of manuscript: All authors.

Correspondence to: Theodoros Moysidis, MD. Division of Internal Medicine V, Department of Angiology, Knappschaft Kliniken Westfalen, Am Knappschaftskrankenhaus 1, 44309 Dortmund, Germany. Email: theodoros.moysidis@knappschaft-kliniken.de; t.moysidis@outlook.de.

Background and Objective: The angiosome concept, introduced by Taylor et al. and further applied by Neville et al., divides the body into three-dimensional blocks of tissue supplied by specific source arteries. This anatomical framework has been instrumental in guiding targeted revascularization strategies, thus enhancing blood flow to ischemic wounds. Building upon this, the woundosome concept was recently introduced, which focuses on individualized perfusion targeting, based on (I) anatomic variations; (II) the presence and extent of collateral circulation; and (III) wound characteristics. The woundosome concept may offer a potentially more tailored approach, paving the way for more thoughtful tissue revascularization. This review aims to investigate the role of angiosome- and woundosome-directed endovascular revascularization for the improvement of outcomes in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Methods: We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from 1990 to February 2025 using combinations of the terms “angiosome”, “woundosome”, “critical limb ischemia”, “diabetic foot ulcer”, “direct revascularization”, and “indirect revascularization”. After screening 480 records, 14 studies were included in our analysis. Data were extracted regarding study design, patient population, revascularization strategy, and outcomes (wound healing, limb salvage). Findings were narratively synthesized with respect to study methodology and limitations.

Key Content and Findings: Most retrospective studies reported improved wound healing and limb salvage rates following angiosome-guided direct revascularization (DR), particularly when inline flow could be restored. However, comparable outcomes were observed with indirect revascularization (IR) in the presence of robust collateral circulation. Evidence for woundosome-guided revascularization remains limited but suggests that a perfusion-oriented, individualized strategy may be especially valuable in anatomically complex cases.

Conclusions: Incorporating angiosome- and woundosome-based strategies in CLTI management may improve limb- and patient-related outcomes. The decision on which particular territory needs primary attention and how many vessels require revascularization largely depends on the patency of feeding arteries in the wound area. In the future, a standardized way to measure the intra- and post-procedural arterial flow to the wound would be necessary, to study the clinical applications of the mentioned strategies. Future studies should therefore prospectively validate woundosome-guided strategies and integrate standardized perfusion assessment tools to guide individualized treatment decisions.

Keywords: Peripheral arterial disease; chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI); diabetic foot ulcer; revascularization


Submitted Jun 09, 2025. Accepted for publication Dec 09, 2025. Published online Dec 24, 2025.

doi: 10.21037/cdt-2025-305


Introduction

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) remains a major cause of non-healing wounds and lower-extremity amputation despite advances in endovascular therapy. Clinicians face the challenge of determining whether direct revascularization (DR) of a specific angiosome improves outcomes compared with indirect approaches, particularly in patients with multilevel disease and variable collateral circulation. Furthermore, the recently proposed “woundosome” concept raises the question of whether a perfusion-oriented, individualized strategy could further optimize wound healing. This review aims to critically evaluate the available evidence on angiosome- and woundosome-guided revascularization, summarize reported outcomes, and identify key methodological gaps and future research needs.

Objectives

Sufficient tissue perfusion is of paramount importance for wound healing and limb salvage in CLTI patients and those with diabetic foot ulcers. The angiosome model, initially described by Taylor and Pan (1), has gained wide acceptance and has become a means in defining specific vascular territories perfused by individual arteries. This strategy anticipates that DR of the affected angiosome will lead to optimal perfusion and therefore maximized supply of oxygen and nutrients to the ischemic tissue. However, clinical observations have suggested that this strategy may be limited by the extent of collateral circulation and by individual variations in vascular anatomy. The concept of the ‘woundosome’ was therefore recently proposed, suggesting that revascularization needs to be based on the real perfusion requirements of the wound, which could extend beyond the classical angiosome concept (2). Herein, we systematically examined these two paradigms within a critical review of the literature, using an explicit methodology for searching and reporting. We present this article in accordance with the Narrative Review reporting checklist (available at https://cdt.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/cdt-2025-305/rc).


Methods

A systematic literature search was performed in three primary databases—PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library—using the keywords “angiosome”, “woundosome”, “chronic limb ischemia”, “diabetic foot ulcer”, “direct revascularization”, and “indirect revascularization”. Boolean operators were used as follows: (“Angiosome” OR “Woundosome”) AND (“critical limb ischemia” OR “diabetic foot ulcer”).

The search period covered all available publications from the inception of each database from 1990 to February 2025. To ensure completeness, the reference lists of relevant review articles were manually screened to identify additional primary studies; however, the reviews themselves were excluded from the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The items used in our search strategy are displayed in Table 1.

Table 1

Search strategy

Items Specification
Date of search 13th February 2025
Databases and other sources searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library
Search terms used “Angiosome”, “woundosome”, “critical limb ischemia”, “diabetic foot ulcer”, “direct revascularization”, “indirect revascularization”
Timeframe 1990–February 2025
Inclusion and exclusion criteria Inclusion criteria: primary studies. Exclusion criteria: review articles, duplicates, irrelevant articles
Selection process Selection conducted independently from each author

The search initially yielded 480 results using the term “angiosome”. After applying additional filters (“critical limb ischemia”, “direct revascularization”), 71 results remained. In a next step, we screened review articles to identify additional primary studies through their reference lists; however, the reviews themselves were excluded from the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Following screening by title and abstract, and after deduplication, one duplicate and one irrelevant article were excluded, leaving 14 studies that formed the basis for the primary analysis. The items for the searching process are shown in Table 1 and the resultant analysis can be appreciated in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Results based on our literature research.

Critical review of the literature supporting the angiosome concept

Different studies investigated the applicability of the angiosome concept in the context of wound healing and limb salvage in CLTI. Most of them, however, were retrospective, and defined different endpoints. While DR of an angiosome seems to be more accessible by endovascular procedures, indirect revascularization (IR) through collaterals seems to be accessible through both, endovascular and open surgical procedures. Nevertheless, findings of most retrospective studies vary, without clear supporting one revascularization strategy (e.g., DR vs. IR) over the other. Table 2 provides an overview of the retrospective literature on the role of angiosome-guided revascularization in terms of wound healing and limb salvage, regarding endovascular and open surgical studies (3-15). The differences in the observed findings are likely to be attributed to the blood inflow to the wound, either direct, through the main vessel of the angiosome, or indirect, through collaterals of different sizes.

Table 2

Retrospective studies favoring the angiosome concept

First author Publication year Study period Type of study Number of patients Type of therapy Mean age (years) DM ESRD Follow-up duration (months)
Alexandrescu (3) 2008 2005–2008 Retrospective; single arm 98 Endovascular 72.8 100% 22% 17.8
Alexandrescu (4) 2011 2001–2010 Retrospective; two arms 208 Endovascular 74.3 100% 18% 38.6
Iida (5) 2012 2004–2010 Retrospective; two arms 329 Endovascular 70 73% 63% 18.0
Söderström (6) 2013 2007–2011 Retrospective; two arms 226 Endovascular 71.2 100% 16% 12.0
Shiraki (7) 2015 2004–2012 Retrospective; two arms 734 Endovascular 71.0 75% 64% 21.0
Jeon (8) 2016 2011–2013 Retrospective; two arms 70 Endovascular 69.6 100% 34% 13.0
Špillerová (9) 2017 2008–2013 Retrospective; two arms 545 Endovascular & surgical ~72 100% ~20% 24
Neville (10) 2009 NM Retrospective; two arms 43 Open surgical NM 88% 52% NM
Kabra (11) 2013 2007–2008 Retrospective; two arms 64 Open surgical NM 81% NM 6.0
Lejay (12) 2014 2003–2009 Retrospective; two arms 54 Open surgical 69.5 100% 55% 48.0
Suh (13) 2016 NM Retrospective; single center NM Open surgical NM NM NM NM
Popitiu (14) 2024 2018–2019 Retrospective; single center 51 Endovascular 69 NM NM 12
Meta-analysis
   Tarricone (15) 2024 Until 2023 Retrospective 985 Endovascular & open surgical NM 73.6% NM 79.0

DM, diabetes mellitus; ESRD, end stage renal disease; NM, not mentioned.

The angiosome concept

The term “angiosome”, as mentioned before, is based on a model of three-dimensional blocks of tissue perfused by specific arterial sources and corresponding venous drainage (1). This anatomical framework has since been applied in various medical disciplines, particularly in vascular medicine, plastic surgery, and wound management. The underlying rationale of the angiosome concept is that DR of the leading vessel in the area increases direct blood flow and therefore, enhances wound healing by optimizing oxygen and nutrient delivery (16). The concept is relevant in the management of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), particularly those in the stage of CLTI, or also in patients with diabetic foot and an underlying vascular disease, where compromised blood supply contributes to non-healing wounds and increases the risk of major amputations (17). Biancari and Juvonen (18) concluded that DR of the main vessel supplying the affected angiosome may be more effective than IR, thus more effectively reducing amputation rates and promoting wound healing in patients with CLTI and diabetic foot ulcers. Similarly, Jongsma et al. indicated that DR according to the angiosome concept significantly improved wound healing and reduced major amputation rates in patients with CLTI (19). However, the benefits were more pronounced in endovascular treatments compared to surgical bypass procedures. This is conceivable since with open repair, the surgeon usually places the distal anastomosis of the vein bypass at the site of the most well preserved and less diseased crural conduit independent of the angiosome concept. In addition, the presence of collateral circulation also influenced outcomes, with IR yielding comparable results to DR when adequate collaterals were present (20). This could be the reason why the angiosome concept may not be universally applicable in patients with lower extremity arterial disease: Spillerova et al. (9) performed a propensity-matched analysis, which could not support the superiority of angiosome-guided revascularization in CLTI patients with multilevel peripheral artery disease (PAD). The study found no significant differences in terms of amputation-free survival, freedom from major adverse limb events (MALE), or healing rates between direct and IR groups. Similarly, Alexandrescu et al. (3) demonstrated that wound-targeted revascularization was linked to significantly higher rates of wound healing and, also shorten the healing time in patients with diabetes mellitus, when compared to IR. In contrast to the benefits of wound-targeted revascularization over indirect or even collateral oriented revascularization in wound healing, there were no differences between these strategies regarding MALE or amputation free survival. Dworak et al. showed that fluorescent angiography was a useful tool to guide angiosome-directed endovascular therapy (21). Tange et al. utilized near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green to assess the applicability of the angiosome concept (22): the study demonstrated that both DR and IR led to significant improvements in perfusion parameters. Furthermore, Ricco et al. evaluated the impact of angiosome-targeted peroneal bypass on limb salvage and healing in CLTI patients (23). The findings suggested that patency of both peroneal branches and the pedal arch were associated with better outcomes, irrespective of wound angiosome location. In the same direction, Troisi and Turini showed that the patency of the pedal arch was the strongest predictor of wound healing in patients with diabetic foot ulcers, with limb salvage rates over a 5-year follow-up period of above 94% in cases of a patent pedal arch compared to 67%, in cases where the pedal arch could not be reconstructed (24). In contrast, Rashid et al. reported no differences in limb salvage rates after distal bypass for CLTI based on the quality of the pedal arch, but instead found a direct influence on healing rates and time to healing (20).

Despite the smaller size and the retrospective and single-center nature of most studies, the existing findings support the notion that DR leads to improved wound healing and reduced amputation rates compared to IR in the lack of collateral circulation. This suggests that restoring direct blood flow to the ischemic territory enhances tissue perfusion, facilitates granulation tissue formation, and accelerates wound closure, ultimately improving clinical outcomes. However, regardless of the advantages of angiosome-directed revascularization, there still are some limitations. Not all anatomical territories have discrete vascularization, and the presence of collateral circulation can sometimes compensate for IR. In certain cases, an IR strategy—where blood flow is restored to an adjacent angiosome with robust collateral networks—can achieve similar or satisfactory outcomes, a finding supported by the review of Bunte and Shishehbor (25). This is particularly relevant in patients with heavily diseased or occluded target vessels, where DR may not be feasible. Moreover, variations in vascular anatomy and the degree of microvascular dysfunction further complicate the predictability of outcomes solely based on the angiosome concept. Iida et al., in their review, concluded that DR is superior to IR in the presence of diabetes mellitus and wound infection (26).

The woundosome concept

This novel concept, recently introduced by Patrone et al., challenges the strict anatomical boundaries of the angiosome model by emphasizing on the importance of wound-feeding arteries over territorial arterial supply (2). This novel approach builds on clinical observations showing that the wound bed, the area needing perfusion the most, often extends beyond predefined angiosomal territories, especially in patients with advanced vascular disease. Patrone et al. proposed that a revascularization strategy targeting the actual wound area rather than predefined angiosomal territories may lead to better healing outcomes, particularly when collateral circulation is not sufficient. Thus, rather than strictly adhering to anatomical maps, clinicians may need to focus more on the arteries directly feeding the wound tissue, as these may be more critical for tissue survival and repair than the primary angiosomal arteries. This approach is particularly valuable in cases of anatomical variation of below-the-knee (BTK) arteries, single peroneal run off feeding one or both the anterior and posterior foot circulation, multi-segmental arterial disease, or recurrent wounds, where standard angiosome-directed strategies may not be available. The woundosome concept underscores the need for a functional, perfusion-based approach that adapts to the complexity of the individual vascular conditions of the patients.

The role of a wound-perfusion based revascularization in critical limb ischemia was described earlier by Bunte and Shishehbor in 2013 (25) and in a meta-analysis by Kim et al. 2021 referred to as “indirect revascularization via collateral flow (IRc)” (27). Different reviews underline the key-role of wound perfusion in limb-salvage, regardless the revascularization type, as shown in Tables 2-4. Recent developments, such as micro-oxygen sensors, speckle-contrast imaging and pedal-acceleration time, are tools that could objectively measure tissue perfusion during the endovascular treatment, and therefore be useful to guide such revascularization procedures (9-19,27), thus enhancing the accuracy of conventional angiography guided procedures.

Table 3

Retrospective studies not supporting the role of angiosome concept

First author Publication year Study period Type of study Number of patients Type of therapy Mean age (years) DM ESRD Follow-up duration (months)
Kawarada (28) 2012 2002–2009 Retrospective; two arms 85 Endovascular 69.0 78% 51% 27.0
Fossaceca (29) 2013 2005–2011 Retrospective; two arms 201 Endovascular 75.5 100% 7.4% 17.5
Acín (30) 2014 1999–2009 Retrospective; three arms 92 Endovascular 72.0 100% 0% 24.0
Pavé (31) 2016 2007–2011 Retrospective; two arms 139 Endovascular 74.2 60% 31% 14.7
Soares (32) 2016 2009–2013 Retrospective; two arms 95 Endovascular 72.9 76.1 22.8 12.0
Ambler (33) 2017 2009–2016 Retrospective; three arms 221 Endovascular 75.0 32% 15%†‡ 24.0
Troisi (24) 2017 2014–2015 Retrospective; two arms 93 Endovascular 74.6 100% 33%§ 7.6
Weaver (34) 2018 2012–2017 Retrospective; two arms 99 Endovascular & surgical 63.3 100% 19% 21.0
Azuma (35) 2012 2003–2009 Retrospective; two arms 228 Open surgical 67.0 81% 49% 24.0
Rashid (20) 2013 2004–2011 Retrospective; two arms 154 Open surgical 75.0 76% 28% 12.0
Kret (36) 2014 2005–2011 Retrospective; two arms 97 Open surgical 67.8 63% 12% NM
Ricco (23) 2017 2004–2015 Retrospective; two arms 120 Open surgical 78.0 57% NM 79.0
Rohrich (37) 2025 2022–2023 Retrospective; two arms 33 Endovascular, prior local flap reconstruction 78.2 93.9% 33.3% 3.0

, glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in 21% of the patients; , defined as chronic renal disease; §, serum creatinine ≥1.5mg/dL. DM, diabetes mellitus; ESRD, end stage renal disease; NM, not mentioned.

Table 4

Studies highlight the woundosome concept

First author Publication Study period Type of study No. of patients Type of therapy Mean age (years) DM ESRD Follow-up duration (months)
Studies highlighting the role of the woundosome concept (collateral circulation)
   Varela (38) 2010 2005–2008 Retrospective; three arms 76 Endovascular & surgical NM 78% 4% 14.2
   Kawarada (28) 2012 2002–2009 Retrospective; two arms 85 Endovascular 69.0 78% 51% 27.0
   Acín (30) 2014 1999–2009 Retrospective; three arms 92 Endovascular 72.0 100% 0% 24.0
   Zheng (39) 2016 2005–2014 Retrospective; three arms 486 Endovascular 69.1 50% 4.9% 12.0
   Iida (26) 2013 2004–2010 Retrospective; two arms 718 Endovascular 70.0 75% 68% 12.0
   Troisi (24) 2017 2014–2015 Retrospective; two arms 93 Endovascular 74.6 100% 33% 7.6
   Serizawa (40) 2024 2019–2021 Prospective; observational 27 Surgical 70.2 70% 78% 1
Meta-analysis
   Jongsma (19) 2017 1999–2014 Retrospective 3932 Endovascular & surgical 67–75.5 63–100% 0–67% 13–39
   Kim (27) 2021 2010–2020 Retrospective NM Endovascular NM NM NM 1–12.0

DM, diabetes mellitus; ESRD, end stage renal disease; NM, not mentioned.

Comparative analysis and reasoning

A side-by-side evaluation of the two concepts reveals important differences as shown in Table 5.

Table 5

Comparison of the angiosome and woundosome concepts

Feature Angiosome concept Woundosome concept
Theoretical basis Anatomical mapping of vascular territories Angiographic assessment rather than pure anatomical mapping focusing on the actual perfusion needs of the wound area
Clinical reasoning Direct revascularization of a specific angiosome helps to optimize wound healing Real-time perfusion dynamics show individual variability in perfusion at the wound bed level and a wound-tailored approach can help optimizing wound-healing
Evidence Improved outcomes with angiosome-targeted revascularization (9,16) Evidence suggesting potential benefits in complex cases with extensive occlusion (6,27,40)
Limitations May not fully account for compensatory collateral circulation Requires advanced imaging techniques and standardization for clinical application

Exemplary cases

Case 1: wound healing after revascularization based on the angiosome concept

A 66-year-old male patient with history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia, suffering from a gangrene of his first and second toe (Figure 2). Examination confirmed sensoric and autonomous neuropathy. Duplex ultrasound revealed BTK PAD. Angiography was performed, which demonstrated a proximal occlusion of the posterior tibial artery, a distal occlusion of the anterior tibial artery and diseased anterior and posterior branches of the peroneal artery supplying the anterior and posterior circulation (Figure 3A). Antero-posterior view of the foot demonstrated very poor flow to the “woundosome” supplied by the dorsalis pedis (Figure 3B). Endovascular recanalization and angioplasty by 3.0 mm angioplasty balloon of the occluded distal anterior tibial artery with in-line flow to the fore foot was achieved (Figure 3C). The anteroposterior view of the foot demonstrates improved flow to the wound following the angiosome concept (Figure 3D). Complete wound healing achieved at 2 months after amputation of the second toe (Figure 4). This case shows very clear the role of in-line flow in the wound, underlining the significance of the “angiosome” concept.

Figure 2 Case 1. Gangrene of the first and second toe; diabetic foot; status at presentation. Note the mazeration of the first toe due to exudation from the gangrenous second toe, the peeling of the dry skin, which combined with the redness and the moderate swelling indicate the underlying diabetic autonomous neuropathy.
Figure 3 Case 1. Angiograms. (A) Severe diseased vessels of the distal calf. Note the long occlusion of the posterior tibial artery with poor collaterals, the distal occlusion of the anterior tibial artery and the diseased feeding branches of the peroneal artery. (B) Anterio-posterior view of the foot, demonstrates very poor flow to the wound areal supplied by the dorsalis pedis artery. (C) Restored in-line flow after recanalization and balloon-angioplasty of the distal anterior tibial artery. (D) Anterior-posterior view of the foot demonstrating an improved in-line flow to the wound areal following the angiosome concept compared to (B).
Figure 4 Case 1. Clinical presentation 2 months after successful revascularization and amputation of the gangrenous second toe, showing a completely healed amputation areal.

Case 2: indirect flow restitution via the foot arch based on the woundosome concept

A 73-year-old patient presented with a non-healing ulcer since 1 year (bone exposed) at the level of the first metatarsal head (Figure 5). The patient had so far not undergone invasive treatment because previous Duplex scans reporting adequate arterial flow till the ankle level. The laboratory examinations showed strongly elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) values. Duplex ultrasound revealed poor perfusion of the plantar arch. An invasive approach was scheduled. The angiogram demonstrated a short occlusion of the common plantar artery, supplying a relatively healthy foot arch, and an occlusion of the distal dorsalis pedis artery (Figure 6A). After performing a balloon angioplasty with a 3mm-balloon of the common plantar artery the angiogram demonstrated patency of in-line flow to the foot via the posterior circulation (Figure 6B). Antero-posterior view of the foot demonstrating direct arterial flow to the “woundosome” via the foot arch, directly supplied by the restored posterior circulation (Figure 6C). Complete wound healing achieved at 2-month follow-up is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 5 Case 2. Non-healing ulcer at the level of the head of the first metatarsal bone; status at presentation.
Figure 6 Case 2. Angiograms. (A) Demonstrates short occlusion of the common plantar artery. Note the relatively healthy foot arch, and the occlusion of the distal dorsalis pedis artery. (B) After angioplasty of the common plantar artery by 3 mm balloon. Note the patency of in-line flow to the foot via the posterior circulation. (C) Antero-posterior view of the foot demonstrating direct arterial flow to the “woundosome” via the foot arch, directly supplied by the restored posterior circulation.
Figure 7 Case 2. Healing process 2 months after revascularization based on the woundosome concept.

Case 3: IR with blood flow through a peroneal artery

A 68-year-old non-diabetic patient presented with acute infection of his first toe (Figure 8). Laboratory findings confirmed elevated CRP values and leukocytes). Systemic antibiotic treatment was initiated, and a wound-debridement was undertaken. Duplex sonography revealed a BTK occlusive disease. The angiogram showed the peroneal artery as a single vessel run-off to the foot supplying the dorsalis pedis and the foot arch via the anterior-lateral malleolar artery (Figure 9A). The revascularization of the peroneal artery was performed via angioplasty of the occluded tract using a 3.0 mm angioplasty balloon (Figure 9B). Brisk flow to the forefoot via good-size anterior-lateral malleolar artery was demonstrated, so that the additional recanalization of the anterior tibial artery was deferred (Figure 9C). The anterior-posterior view of the foot confirmed a satisfactory flow to the woundosome, supplied via the foot arch, fed by good-size collateral from the peroneal artery (Figure 9D). The first toe was hereafter amputated, due to presence of osteomyelitis, confirmed through a CT scan (not shown). After 45 days, complete wound healing was achieved (Figure 10).

Figure 8 Case 3. Non-diabetic gangrene of the first toe with infection. Note the previous amputated second toe.
Figure 9 Case 3. Angiograms. (A) Peroneal artery as single vessel run-off to the foot. (B) Brisk flow to the forefoot via good-size anterior-lateral malleolar artery. (C) Revascularization of the peroneal artery via angioplasty of the occluded tract by 3 mm balloon. (D) Antero-posterior view of the foot, confirming satisfactory flow to the woundosome, supplied via the foot arch, fed by good-size collateral from the peroneal artery.
Figure 10 Case 3. Status 45 days after amputation of the first toe and successful revascularization.

Discussion

The angiosome and woundosome concepts each offer distinct but mainly complementary perspectives for optimizing revascularization strategies, in CLTI patients. The angiosome model provides a well-established but rigid anatomical framework that helps guide targeted interventions, whereas the woundosome concept offers a more flexible, functionally driven approach that accounts for individual variations in vessel anatomy and tissue perfusion.

While numerous studies support angiosome directed interventions, as shown in Table 2, the success of IR highlights the importance of collateral circulation, which is more rigorously implemented in the woundosome concept (Tables 3,4). In practice, this means that a strict angiosomal approach may not always be feasible or convenient in the absence of receiving vessels in the anatomical predefined region. Instead, individual factors, such as vessel patency in neighboring anatomical areas, collateral flow sustained by decent size collaterals, either existing or dormant, and the extent of ischemic damage, should guide the selection of the most appropriate vessel to recanalize. In addition, the woundosome concept shifts the focus from purely anatomical mapping to an assessment of wound perfusion (22). This paradigm shift underscores the necessity of advanced imaging modalities, such as super selective injection of the contrast media as distal as possible in the periphery, using magnification and orthogonal projections, where the wound areal is as clearly demonstrated, determining the actual feeding arteries of the wound bed.

Nevertheless, several methodological concerns limit the strength of current evidence. Most studies are retrospective, single-center analyses with heterogeneous definitions of wound healing and variable follow-up durations. Few studies systematically used objective perfusion measurements such as transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TCPO2) or pedal acceleration time (PAT), which may lead to misclassification of clinical success. Additionally, some studies combine both surgical and endovascular interventions, complicating the interpretation of results by introducing treatment heterogeneity.

Another limitation is the lack of standardized wound classification and severity reporting, making comparisons across studies cumbersome. Many studies also fail to report the presence or quality of collateral circulation in a consistent way, despite its clear influence on outcomes in IR strategies. These methodological weaknesses contribute to conflicting findings regarding the superiority of direct versus IR.

In patients with diabetes, the diagnosis of PAD is often complicated by medial arterial calcification, which leads to falsely elevated Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) values and can mask the presence of significant ischemia. Duplex ultrasound, although widely available, may have reduced diagnostic accuracy in the presence of extensive calcification or multilevel disease, particularly below the knee. Therefore, an integrated diagnostic approach combining ABI, toe-brachial index (TBI), duplex findings, and, when needed, computed tomography angiography/magnetic resonance angiography (CTA/MRA) or digital subtraction angiography is recommended to define the true extent of ischemia and plan targeted revascularization.

The assessment of tissue oxygenation by TCPO2 has emerged as a valuable tool to evaluate the perfusion status of the wound bed and to predict the likelihood of wound healing after revascularization. TCPO2 is independent of the degree of arterial calcification and reflects microcirculatory function, thus complementing angiographic findings. Recent evidence suggests that TCPO2 thresholds can help guide the decision to proceed with revascularization and objectively monitor its effectiveness. Importantly, diabetes is associated with significant microcirculatory dysfunction—characterized by impaired capillary recruitment and endothelial dysfunction—that may limit the benefit of technically successful revascularization and contribute to delayed or incomplete healing (41).

Both the angiosome and woundosome concepts rely on the assumption that restored inline flow translates into sufficient tissue oxygenation. In diabetic patients, however, this is not always the case, since microangiopathy and neuropathy may prevent adequate perfusion despite patency of the target vessel. The integration of perfusion metrics into procedural planning allows verification that the chosen revascularization strategy restores adequate functional perfusion of the wound bed. This combined macro- and microcirculatory assessment may improve patient selection, optimize procedural outcomes, and, therefore, ultimately enhance wound healing and limb salvage rates. This assessment can also be performed during an angioplasty, providing the interventionalist with useful feedback, since they can monitor the perfusion of the wound area.

Pedal-acceleration time is another practical and easily applicable tool for assessing perfusion during an interventional procedure and can be used as a concomitant measurement. Studies support the beneficial effects of such measurements during revascularization procedures (24). Recent studies focus on duplex-ultrasound based measurements, since this application is well-spread, requires no other investment other than a modern ultrasound system and a well-trained sonographer. On behalf of this topic, Sommerset et al. (42) helped establish the PAT as a helpful tool in assessing tissue perfusion during the revascularization procedure. In a more recent review by Souza et al. (43), the evidence for this method became more apparent, since its reliability and reproducibility could be further established. Further, Pinelo et al. showed a comparable value of pedal-acceleration time to TCPO2 (44).

Although techniques such as TCPO2 and PAT have emerged as promising adjuncts for physiological assessment, no universally accepted thresholds exist to guide angiosome- or woundosome-directed decision making. For example, TCPO2 values above 30–40 mmHg are cited as predictive of healing, and a PAT <225 ms has been associated with improved outcomes, but these values lack standardization and broad validation. Future consensus-driven efforts are therefore necessary to establish reproducible, clinically actionable cut-off points for perfusion assessment, since no consensus yet exists on perfusion thresholds predictive of wound healing or limb salvage.

From a clinical point of view, integrating both concepts may yield the most effective outcomes. While the angiosome concept offers a structured guideline for vascular interventions, incorporating the woundosome approach can provide additional flexibility, particularly in complex cases where anatomical boundaries do not align with perfusion requirements. This integrated approach could be valuable in patients with multiple occluded vessels BTK or even below-the-ankle disease, where rigid adherence to one concept may limit therapeutic options and flexibility in optimal revascularization management. Since the wider use of adjuvant tools, such as transcutaneous oximetry and sonographic measurements, guiding of revascularization to the proper vascular territory, either in terms of direct in-line flow or indirect collateral flow optimization, is becoming crucial, regardless the initial attempt. Therefore, in terms of wound healing, it is important to restore blood flow to the wound bed, regardless the direction of the inflow. This later consideration was supported by a recent retrospective multicenter study covering a period of 3 years, led by Iida and Soga (5).

The clinical applicability of angiosome- and woundosome-directed strategies may not be uniform across all subgroups of CLTI. Patients with advanced diabetes, renal dysfunction, or multi-level disease often present with complex microvascular and collateral adaptations that may limit the predictive value of strict angiosome-based targeting. Current evidence is largely derived from heterogeneous populations, and subgroup-specific outcome data remain insufficient. Dedicated studies are required to define which patient subsets derive the greatest benefit from woundosome-guided interventions.

Most published reports on angiosome- and woundosome-based revascularization focus on mid-term results (up to 2–3 years), with limited data extending beyond 3 years. Long-term studies regarding limb salvage, wound healing durability, reintervention rates, and survival rates are required.

Limitations

Our analysis has some limitations. The angiosome concept has been studied multiple times since its first description. After some early euphoria it became apparent that the concept is not widely applicable (Table 3). Since different circumstances, like infection, edema and pressure can influence wound healing apart from tissue level perfusion, study results can vary, depending on the presence and degree of such underlying conditions in different patient cohorts. Therefore, a comparison of the available studies is difficult, since most of them are retrospective, non-randomized and sometimes contain both surgical and endovascularly revascularized patients. Furthermore, most of the retrospective studies referred to wound healing, without describing the wound extension and severity. This is associated with a generally missing model for standardized reporting of wound care. On the other hand, the woundosome concept, appears very fascinating but still needs to be supported by a reliable and easy-to-use foot arterial perfusion system, able to set up perfusion thresholds, which would ultimately be able to predict wound healing and limb salvage.


Conclusions

While the angiosome concept is based on restoring blood flow direct to the main vessel of the associated anatomical area, the woundosome concept offers a more adaptable, patient-specific approach by prioritizing wound perfusion through collaterals above and beyond anatomical territories, and considering the presence of anatomic variations. With the woundosome concept IR in the presence of good size collaterals/foot arch patency could be equivalent to DR. Future research should focus on comparing the clinical outcomes of strict angiosome-based revascularization versus woundosome-guided interventions in large-scale, multicenter studies. Current evidence supports the rationale of enhancing blood flow in the wound territory, regardless of the leading inflow artery. Additionally, developing standardized protocols for perfusion assessment correlated to wound classification (21) will be essential to optimize individualized treatment strategies and improve long-term limb salvage rates. Therefore, a possible approach for interventional treatment in CLTI can be described as follows: prior to the revascularization of the occluded main artery supplying in-line blood flow to a wound, the perfusion to that wound, provided by potential collaterals, needs to be assessed in the context of the clinical presentation of the patients.


Acknowledgments

None.


Footnote

Reporting Checklist: The authors have completed the Narrative Review reporting checklist. Available at https://cdt.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/cdt-2025-305/rc

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Funding: None.

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://cdt.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/cdt-2025-305/coif). G.K. serves as an unpaid editorial board member of Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy from January 2025 to December 2026. L.P. received honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus from Abbott, Angiodroid, Asahi, BD, Bentley, COOK, Shockwave and Terumo. K.N. received honoraria for presentations and workshops from Shockwave Medical and Philips Healthcare. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. Patients’ consent was obtained for the publication of the images.

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Cite this article as: Moysidis T, Patrone L, Böckler D, Niemöller K, Korosoglou G. The angiosome and woundosome concepts in guiding revascularization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia and diabetic foot ulcers—a narrative review. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther 2025;15(6):1227-1241. doi: 10.21037/cdt-2025-305

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