THE SAGE GROUP Reports that Critical Limb Ischemia Afflicts An Estimated 1.1 Million People.

ATLANTA -- According to THE SAGE GROUP, an estimated 1.1 million people in the U.S. suffer from Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI). Reflecting the aging population and the increasing prevalence of diabetes, the number of people with CLI is forecast to increase to 1.4 million over the next ten years.

"CLI is in effect 'end-stage' Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)," explained Mary L. Yost, President of THE SAGE GROUP. PAD is characterized by a reduction of blood flow to the lower limbs due to atherosclerosis, commonly called hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which the walls of the arteries thicken and harden as a result of the build-up of fatty deposits (plaque) on their inner lining.

In the later stages of PAD (critical limb ischemia or CLI) blood flow is so inadequate that ulcerations and gangrene occur. Once PAD has progressed to CLI, the risks of limb loss and mortality increase. At six months approximately 20% of those with CLI will die, another 35% will experience amputation.

According to THE SAGE GROUP, approximately 160,000 PAD-related amputations are performed annually in the U.S.

"Many therapeutic options are available that can slow or even prevent disease progression to the critical stage," commented Ms. Yost. "Even if the disease has progressed to the ischemic stages, endovascular (minimally invasive) therapies or surgical bypass can often be employed to improve blood flow and avoid amputation," she elaborated.

"Unfortunately, amputation is often the initial therapy for CLI," stated Yost. Two recently published research studies (Hallett et al. and Allie et al.) found that amputation was the first procedure performed in 60%-70% of the severely ischemic patients who received amputation.

"The tragedy is that early diagnosis and treatment could eliminate many of these amputations," declared Yost. "Although an inexpensive, noninvasive diagnostic test, the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), is available, the majority of PAD patients remain undiagnosed," she continued.

"Fortunately, this is rapidly changing. Numerous catalysts have converged that are expected to result in recognition of PAD as a major and growing health and economic problem," stated Ms. Yost. These include ongoing education, awareness and screening programs such as those sponsored by Legs for Life(R), the American Vascular Association (AVA) and the Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF). "Of major importance," declared Yost, "is the upcoming launch of the PAD national awareness campaign sponsored by the National PAD Coalition and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)."

Clinician awareness is also growing with the first International CLI Summit convening in Miami on October 26-27. Additional information can be found at http://www.clisummit.com/.

Patient Information

September is National Vascular Disease Awareness Month with free screenings offered in hospitals, clinics and senior centers. For more information visit http://www.legsforlife.org/ or http://www.vdf.org/. The AVA offers an annual screening program in May.

The Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Research Study

The multi-volume PAD Research Study comprises a series of reports analyzing the market opportunity for treatment of diseases in the lower limbs. The Study provides a comprehensive analysis of PAD, as well as an evaluation of the market opportunities by disease severity.

Acute Limb Ischemia--Multiple Therapies Multiple Procedures, is the most recently published report in the series. Previous publications focused on the pharmaceutical and interventional markets.

About THE SAGE GROUP

THE SAGE GROUP, an independent research and consulting company, specializes in atherosclerotic disease in the lower limbs, specifically PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease), CLI (Critical Limb Ischemia) and ALI (Acute Limb Ischemia).

For additional information visit www.thesagegroup.us.