Lower Extremity Arterial Occlusion

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) combined with endovascular intervention can accelerate wound healing and improve safety outcomes in patients aged 18 to 80 years with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) complicated by lower extremity arterial occlusion. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does CAP treatment lead to a greater reduction in ulcer area by Week 4 compared to placebo?; 2. Is CAP therapy safe and well-tolerated in patients with DFUs after successful infrapopliteal revascularisation?; Researchers will compare CAP treatment plus standard care to sham CAP (placebo) plus standard care to see if CAP improves wound healing more effectively and reduces adverse local symptoms. Participants will: 1. Receive either active CAP therapy or sham CAP therapy once daily for 10 days following endovascular revascularisation 2. Undergo daily wound assessments for ulcer area, signs of infection, and pain scores 3. Complete quality-of-life questionnaires (EQ-5D and SF-12) at baseline and Week 4 4. Be followed through Week 4 to assess efficacy and safety endpoints

Critical limb ischemia is the end-stage manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), frequently presenting as ischemic rest pain, ulceration, or gangrene. Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for lower extremity arterial occlusion, with infrapopliteal arteries most commonly affected. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) have a high prevalence of neurovascular complications, poor healing, and elevated amputation and mortality rates. Large-scale cohort studies indicate that five-year survival after amputation in this population is only about 50%, underscoring the need for more effective therapies. Endovascular revascularization has become the first-line treatment for diabetic lower limb ischemia. However, despite successful revascularization, persistent microvascular dysfunction and difficult-to-heal ulcers remain common due to chronic inflammation, impaired angiogenesis, and tissue repair deficits. Current advanced wound dressings provide limited benefit and are often costly. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising adjunctive therapy, with demonstrated antimicrobial activity-including efficacy against multidrug-resistant organisms-and the ability to promote microcirculation and wound healing. CAP generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that disrupt bacterial membranes and may also stimulate tissue regeneration. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that CAP can accelerate healing in chronic wounds and is well tolerated by patients. Given these advantages, the present study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of CAP combined with endovascular intervention in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and lower extremity arterial occlusion, to inform future clinical application of this novel technology.