Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from either a defect in insulin secretion or insulin action, or both. In the medium and long term, chronic hyperglycemia is associated with specific organic complications, particularly affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and vessels. Diabetes and its complications constitute an emergency and are the leading cause of death in the world. Today, diabetes affects more than 382 million people worldwide, and is responsible for one death every 7 seconds. The prevalence of diabetes has increased more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. Chronic obliterative arteriopathy of the lower limbs results from the development of atherosclerotic lesions that progressively obstruct the lumen of the arteries, creating an obstacle to distal vascularization of the lower limbs.