Bypass versus Angioplasty in Severe Ischaemia of the Leg (BASIL)-2 Trial: Analysis of the Timing and Causes of Death in Participants Randomised to an Infrapopliteal Vein Bypass or Best Endovascular Treatment First Revascularisation Strategy

OBJECTIVE

The Bypass versus Angioplasty in Severe Ischaemia of the Leg (BASIL)-2 trial enrolled participants with chronic limb threatening ischaemia who required an infrapopliteal, with or without a femoropopliteal, revascularisation procedure to restore limb perfusion. Participants randomised to a vein bypass (VB) first revascularisation strategy were over one third more likely than those randomised to a best endovascular treatment (BET) first revascularisation strategy to die from any cause during a median follow up of 40.0 (interquartile range 20.9, 60.6) months. The aim was to describe the timing and causes of death in BASIL-2 as a first step towards trying to better understand why randomisation to a VB first revascularisation strategy was associated with this excess mortality.

METHODS

A 10 person international panel comprising vascular and endovascular surgeons as well as vascular interventional radiologists, who had all been principal investigators in BASIL-2, took part in a modified Delphi consensus exercise to adjudicate the primary cause of death and, in particular, whether the cause was primarily cardiac or non-cardiac.

RESULTS

In 151/168 deaths (89.9%) the Delphi panel achieved a consensus regarding the cause of death being probably cardiac or non-cardiac. In the BET group, 16/77 deaths (21%) were classified as probably cardiac compared with 32/91 (35%) in the VB group (unadjusted subdistribution hazard ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20 - 3.87; unadjusted cause specific hazard ratio 2.15, 95% CI 1.19 - 3.90). At the point of randomisation, 64/344 (18.6%), 37/344 (10.8%), and 40/342 (9%) participants had a previous myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), respectively. There was no evidence of varying treatment effects for cause of death in subgroup analyses of previous PCI, CABG, or MI.

CONCLUSION

The excess mortality observed in the VB first revascularisation strategy group in BASIL-2 was largely due to deaths that were adjudicated by the Delphi panel as probably primarily cardiac. These excess cardiac deaths were observed throughout follow up and there was no evidence of non-proportional hazards. Further work is ongoing to try to better understand the reasons for these findings.

Editor's Choice - Bypass versus Angioplasty for Severe Ischaemia of the Leg (BASIL) Prospective Cohort Study and the Generalisability of the BASIL-2 Randomised Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

The Bypass versus Angioplasty in Severe Ischaemia of the Leg-2 (BASIL-2) randomised controlled trial has shown that, for patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) who require an infrapopliteal (IP) revascularisation a vein bypass (VB) first revascularisation strategy led to a 35% increased risk of major amputation or death when compared with a best endovascular treatment (BET) first revascularisation strategy. The study aims are to place the BASIL-2 trial within the context of the CLTI patient population as a whole and to investigate the generalisability of the BASIL-2 outcome data.

METHODS

This was an observational, single centre prospective cohort study. Between 24 June 2014 and 31 July 2018, the BASIL Prospective Cohort Study (PCS) was performed which used BASIL-2 trial case record forms to document the characteristics, initial and subsequent management, and outcomes of 471 consecutive CLTI patients admitted to an academic vascular centre. Ethical approval was obtained, and all patients provided fully informed written consent. Follow up data were censored on 14 December 2022.

RESULTS

Of the 238 patients who required an infrainguinal revascularisation, 75 (32%) had either IP bypass (39 patients) or IP BET (36 patients) outside BASIL-2. Seventeen patients were initially randomised to BASIL-2. A further three patients who did not have an IP revascularisation as their initial management were later randomised in BASIL-2. Therefore, 95/471 (20%) of patients had IP revascularisation (16% outside, 4% inside BASIL-2). Differences in amputation free survival, overall survival, and limb salvage between IP bypass and IP BET performed outside BASIL-2 were not subject to hypothesis testing due to the small sample size. Reasons for non-randomisation into the trial were numerous, but often due to anatomical and technical considerations.

CONCLUSION

CLTI patients who required an IP revascularisation procedure and were subsequently randomised into BASIL-2 accounted for a small subset of the CLTI population as a whole. For a wide range of patient, limb, anatomical and operational reasons, most patients in this cohort were deemed unsuitable for randomisation in BASIL-2. The results of BASIL-2 should be interpreted in this context.

A Systematic Review Network Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression on Surgical and Endovenous Interventions for the Treatment of Lower Limb Venous Ulcer Disease

BACKGROUND

Venous leg ulcer (VLU) disease constitutes the most severe form of chronic venous insufficiency. We performed a network meta-analysis and meta-regression to investigate the efficacy and safety of the various available interventions in the treatment of VLU.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic research corresponding to the instructions by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement for studies reporting on surgical or endovenous interventions for the treatment of VLU. Following data extraction, we performed a Bayesian network meta-analysis and meta-regression. Primary endpoints included VLU healing and recurrence. The secondary endpoint was postintervention complications.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies evaluating the impact of compression monotherapy, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), sclerotherapy, and saphenous vein surgery on VLU treatment, consisting of 2156 patients (2186 VLU) were included. When compared to compression monotherapy, RFA was the only treatment displaying a statistically-significant impact on ulcer healing, odds ratio (OR) 5.80 (95% credibility interval (CI): 1.08-35.07), while EVLA, RR 0.06 (95% CI: 0.00-0.57), sclerotherapy, RR 0.07 (95% CI: 0.00-0.68) and RFA, RR 0.12 (95% CI: 0.01-0.91) were the 3 interventions reducing VLU recurrence. EVLA (SUCRA, 69.65) ranked as the most efficient intervention concerning ulcer recurrence reduction. Regarding postintervention complications, EVLA was the only intervention displaying a statistically-significant increased risk compared to compression monotherapy, RR 14.3 (95% CI: 2.03-172.56). Meta-regression analysis exploring the impact of perforator treatment on VLU failed to predict healing, β = -0.27 (95% CI: -2.55 to 1.85), recurrence, β = -0.02 (95% CI: -2.96 to 2.75) and complication outcomes, β = -0.089 (95% CI: -3.13 to 2.85). During sensitivity analysis, RFA and sclerotherapy failed to sustain their effects on ulcer healing and ulcer recurrence, respectively. In addition, sclerotherapy displayed statistically-significant inferior outcomes compared to both EVLA and RFA regarding ulcer recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This is the first network meta-analysis examining the effect of various interventions on VLU disease. While we have demonstrated the efficacy of RFA and ELVA in ulcer recurrence prevention, our results regarding the impact of RFA and sclerotherapy on VLU healing and recurrence, respectively, should be interpreted with caution. In addition, this review raises questions concerning the value of surgery and perforator interventions in the treatment of VLU. Further research through randomized controlled trials is required.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Our review has revealed the significant efficacy of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in effectively reducing the incidence of ulcer recurrence when compared to compression monotherapy. These outcomes hold the potential to provide relevant insights to both medical practitioners and patients, thereby informing a more prudent and enlightened decision-making approach. Such informed decisions, aimed at mitigating the recurring occurrence of venous leg ulcers, carry profound significance given the considerable socioeconomic implications associated with this medical condition.

A vein bypass first versus a best endovascular treatment first revascularisation strategy for patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia who required an infra-popliteal, with or without an additional more proximal infra-inguinal revascularisation procedure to restore limb perfusion (BASIL-2): an open-label, randomised, multicentre, phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Chronic limb-threatening ischaemia is the severest manifestation of peripheral arterial disease and presents with ischaemic pain at rest or tissue loss (ulceration, gangrene, or both), or both. We compared the effectiveness of a vein bypass first with a best endovascular treatment first revascularisation strategy in terms of preventing major amputation and death in patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia who required an infra-popliteal, with or without an additional more proximal infra-inguinal, revascularisation procedure to restore limb perfusion.

METHODS

Bypass versus Angioplasty for Severe Ischaemia of the Leg (BASIL)-2 was an open-label, pragmatic, multicentre, phase 3, randomised trial done at 41 vascular surgery units in the UK (n=39), Sweden (n=1), and Denmark (n=1). Eligible patients were those who presented to hospital-based vascular surgery units with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia due to atherosclerotic disease and who required an infra-popliteal, with or without an additional more proximal infra-inguinal, revascularisation procedure to restore limb perfusion. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either vein bypass (vein bypass group) or best endovascular treatment (best endovascular treatment group) as their first revascularisation procedure through a secure online randomisation system. Participants were excluded if they had ischaemic pain or tissue loss considered not to be primarily due to atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease. Most vein bypasses used the great saphenous vein and originated from the common or superficial femoral arteries. Most endovascular interventions comprised plain balloon angioplasty with selective use of plain or drug eluting stents. Participants were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. Data were collected locally at participating centres. In England, Wales, and Sweden, centralised databases were used to collect information on amputations and deaths. Data were analysed centrally at the Birmingham Clinical Trials Unit. The primary outcome was amputation-free survival defined as time to first major (above the ankle) amputation or death from any cause measured in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed by monitoring serious adverse events up to 30-days after first revascularisation. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN27728689.

FINDINGS

Between July 22, 2014, and Nov 30, 2020, 345 participants (65 [19%] women and 280 [81%] men; median age 72·5 years [62·7-79·3]) with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia were enrolled in the trial and randomly assigned: 172 (50%) to the vein bypass group and 173 (50%) to the best endovascular treatment group. Major amputation or death occurred in 108 (63%) of 172 patients in the vein bypass group and 92 (53%) of 173 patients in the best endovascular treatment group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1·35 [95% CI 1·02-1·80]; p=0·037). 91 (53%) of 172 patients in the vein bypass group and 77 (45%) of 173 patients in the best endovascular treatment group died (adjusted HR 1·37 [95% CI 1·00-1·87]). In both groups the most common causes of morbidity and death, including that occurring within 30 days of their first revascularisation, were cardiovascular (61 deaths in the vein bypass group and 49 in the best endovascular treatment group) and respiratory events (25 deaths in the vein bypass group and 23 in the best endovascular treatment group; number of cardiovascular and respiratory deaths were not mutually exclusive).

INTERPRETATION

In the BASIL-2 trial, a best endovascular treatment first revascularisation strategy was associated with a better amputation-free survival, which was largely driven by fewer deaths in the best endovascular treatment group. These data suggest that more patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia who required an infra-popliteal, with or without an additional more proximal infra-inguinal, revascularisation procedure to restore limb perfusion should be considered for a best endovascular treatment first revascularisation strategy.

FUNDING

UK National Institute of Health Research Health Technology Programme.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) - A challenging manifestation of atherosclerosis

The diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is not always evident as symptoms and signs may show great variation. As all grades of PAD are linked to both an increased risk for cardiovascular complications and adverse limb events, awareness of the condition and knowledge about diagnostic measures, prevention and treatment is crucial. This article presents in a condensed form information on PAD and its management.

Evaluation of the Global Limb Anatomic Staging System in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia undergoing endovascular intervention for femoropopliteal disease

BACKGROUND

The Global Limb Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) is a new method of quantifying the anatomic severity of infrainguinal disease in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia. However, because GLASS has undergone limited validation, its value as an aid to shared decision-making regarding the choice of revascularization strategy remains incompletely defined. Here we report the relationship between GLASS and outcomes in a contemporary series comprising all 309 patients who underwent an attempt at femoropopliteal and/or infrapopiteal endovascular therapy for chronic limb-threatening ischemia in our unit between 2009 and 2014.

METHODS

Baseline patient characteristics and outcome data including immediate technical success (ITS), amputation-free survival (AFS), overall survival, limb salvage, freedom from reintervention (FF-R), and freedom from major adverse limb events (FF-MALE) were obtained from hospital databases. GLASS grades and stage were obtained from pre-endovascular therapy angiographic imaging. Outcome data were censored on May 31, 2017.

RESULTS

Baseline patient characteristics were similar across different GLASS femoropopliteal and IP grades and overall limb stages. Worsening GLASS stage was associated with a significant reduction in ITS (97.5% vs 91.5% vs 84.0%; P = .029). At 72 months FF-R (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-3.57; P = .020) and FF-MALE (hazard ratio, 1.76, 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.81; P = .019) were significant worse in GLASS stage 3 than in stage 2 limbs.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, there were significant differences in ITS, FF-R and FF-MALE between limbs with GLASS stage 2 and 3 disease. However, further GLASS refinement seems likely to be required if its usefulness in everyday clinical practice as an aid to shared decision-making regarding the choice of revascularization strategy is to be maximized.

Adverse neurological events after sodium tetradecyl sulfate foam sclerotherapy - A prospective, observational study of 8056 treatments

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) is a flexible and highly utilised tool in the treatment of varicose veins (VVs), both as a primary treatment and as an adjunct to other treatments. Concern remains regarding the risk of neurological adverse events (AEs) such as migraine, visual disturbance and serious adverse events (SAEs) such as cerebrovascular accident that have been reported after UGFS treatments.

AIM

To determine the incidence of neurological AEs and SAEs after UGFS.

METHODS

A prospective, multicentre, post-authorisation safety study across Europe (both private and government) was performed between January 2015-2020. Neurological adverse events after UGFS with Fibrovein® (Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate) 1 and 3% physician generated foam.

RESULTS

8056 patients underwent treatment. There were 46 AE (including 5 SAEs), 30 (65%) SAEs were in female patients. Mean age was 55 years with mean body mass index (BMI) of 27. Univariable logistic regression demonstrate that UGFS only treatment (i.e. no adjunctive treatment), liquid-to-gas ratio, gas type and total foam volume (1% sodium tetradecyl sulfate, STS) were significantly associated with the odds of experiencing the outcome. Multivariable logistic regression model exhibits that migraine and total foam volume (1% STS) maintained statistical significance thus associated with the odds of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that UGFS with Fibrovein is safe with a very low incidence of neurological AEs and SAEs. Past history of migraine, use of physiological gas (O₂/CO₂) and increasing volumes of 1% foam increase the risk of AEs.

Procedural and 12-month in-hospital costs of primary infra-popliteal bypass surgery, infra-popliteal best endovascular treatment, and major lower limb amputation for chronic limb threatening ischemia

OBJECTIVE

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is a growing global problem due to the widespread use of tobacco and increasing prevalence of diabetes. Although the financial consequences are considerable, few studies have compared the relative cost-effectiveness of different CLTI management strategies. The Bypass vs Angioplasty in Severe Ischaemia of the Leg (BASIL)-2 trial is randomizing patients with CLTI to primary infra-popliteal (IP) vein bypass surgery (BS) or best endovascular treatment (BET) and includes a comprehensive within-trial cost-utility analysis. The aim of this study is to compare over a 12-month time horizon, the costs of primary IP BS, IP best endovascular treatment (BET), and major limb major amputation (MLLA) to inform the BASIL-2 cost-utility analysis.

METHODS

We compared procedural human resource (HR) costs and total in-hospital costs for the index admission, and over the following 12-months, in 60 consecutive patients undergoing primary IP BS (n = 20), IP BET (n = 20), or MLLA (10 transfemoral and 10 transtibial) for CLTI within the BASIL prospective cohort study.

RESULTS

Procedural HR costs were greatest for BS (BS £2551; 95% confidence interval [CI], £1934-£2807 vs MLLA £1130; 95% CI, £1046-£1297 vs BET £329; 95% CI, £242-£390; P < .001, Kruskal-Wallis) due to longer procedure duration and greater staff requirement. With regard to the index admission, MLLA was the most expensive due to longer hospital stay (MLLA £13,320; 95% CI, £8986-£18,616 vs BS £8714; 95% CI, £6097-£11,973 vs BET £4813; 95% CI, £3529-£6097; P < .001, Kruskal-Wallis). The total cost of the index admission and in-hospital care over the following 12 months remained least for BET (MLLA £26,327; 95% CI, £17,653-£30,458 vs BS £20,401; 95% CI, £12,071-£23,926 vs BET £12,298; 95% CI, £6961-£15,439; P < .001, Kruskal-Wallis).

CONCLUSIONS

Over a 12-month time horizon, MLLA and IP BS are more expensive than IP BET in terms of procedural HR costs and total in-hospital costs. These economic data, together with quality of life data from BASIL-2, will inform the calculation of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for different CLTI management strategies within the BASIL-2 cost-utility analysis.

Comparison of femoro-popliteal plain balloon angioplasty for chronic limb threatening ischaemia in the BASIL trial and in a UK contemporary series

BACKGROUND

Since the turn of the millennium there has been a world-wide trend towards an endovascular first where possible revascularisation strategy for chronic limb threatening (CLTI). There is concern that this may be inappropriate and can result in net patient harm. The aim of this study, therefore, is to compare important clinical outcomes following femoro-popliteal plain balloon angioplasty (FP-PBA), with selective use of bare metal stents (BMS), in a contemporary series (CS) of patients treated in our unit between 2009 and 2014 with those observed following FP-PBA +/- BMS in the UK NIHR HTA-funded Bypass versus Angioplasty in Severe Ischaemia of the Leg (BASIL-1, B1) trial (treated 1999-2004).

METHODS

Baseline and clinical outcome data (amputation free survival, AFS; overall survival, OS; limb salvage, LS; freedom from re-intervention, FF-R; freedom from major adverse limb events, FF-MALE) were obtained from prospectively gathered hospital data and B1 trial case record forms.

RESULTS

There were 237 CS and 218 B1 patients. CS patients were older (77 vs 73 years, p=.0002). B1 patients were more likely to be current smokers, less likely to be on best medical therapy, and underwent more extensive endovascular interventions. CS had more hospital admissions (4 vs 2, p<.0001) before they reached their primary endpoint (AFS). Immediate technical success was non-significantly higher in the CS patients (87% vs 83%, p=0.2). BMS were used in 20 (8%) CS and 2 (1%) B1 patients (p=.0002). AFS (HR = 0.64, 95%CI: 0.49 to 0.82, p = .0005) and OS (HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.76, p = .0001) were significantly worse in the CS cohort. There was no significant difference in LS, FF-R or FF-MALE.

CONCLUSIONS

CLTI patients managed in our unit (2009-2014) by means of a FP-PBA +/- BMS first where possible revascularisation strategy experience significantly worse AFS and OS than patients treated with FP-PBA +/- BMS in the B1 trial ten years earlier (1999-2004).

A Comparison of Contemporary Clinical Outcomes Following Femoro-Popliteal Plain Balloon Angioplasty and Bypass Surgery for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia

INTRODUCTION

Despite the BASIL-1 trial concluding that bypass surgery (BS) was superior to plain balloon angioplasty (PBA) in terms of longer-term amputation free (AFS) and overall survival (OS), CLTI patients are increasingly offered an endovascular-first revascularization strategy. This study investigates whether the results of BASIL-1 are still relevant to current practice by comparing femoro-popliteal (FP) BS with PBA in a series of CLTI patients treated in our unit 10 years after BASIL-1 (1999-2004).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed prospectively gathered hospital data pertaining to 279 patients undergoing primary FP BS or PBA for CLTI in the period 2009 to 2014. We report baseline characteristics, 30-day morbidity and mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and long-term AFS, limb salvage (LS), OS, major adverse limb events (MALE), and freedom from re-intervention (FFR).

RESULTS

234 (84%) and 45 (16%) patients underwent PBA and BS respectively. PBA patients were significantly older (77 vs 71 years, P = 0.001) and more likely to be female (45% vs 28%, P = 0.026). Bollinger and GLASS anatomic scores were significantly more severe in the BS group. Technical success was better for BS (100% vs 87%, P = 0.007). Index hospital stay was shorter for PBA (9.1 vs 15.6 days, P = 0.035) but there was no difference in hospital days or admissions over the next 12 months. AFS (HR 1.00), LS (HR 1.44), OS (HR 0.81), MALE (HR 1.25) and FFR (HR = 1.00) were not significantly different between PBA and BS.

CONCLUSION

Important clinical outcomes following FP BS and PBA for CLTI have not changed significantly in our unit in the 10 years following the BASIL-1 trial. BASIL-1 therefore remains relevant to our current practice and should inform our approach to the management of CLTI going forward.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes in Patients Selected for Infra-Popliteal Bypass or Plain Balloon Angioplasty for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia Between 2009 and 2013

INTRODUCTION

A published subgroup analysis of the Bypass versus Angioplasty in Severe Ischaemia of the Leg (BASIL)-1 trial suggests that, in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) due to infra-popliteal (IP) disease, clinical outcomes are better following vein bypass surgery (BS) than after plain balloon angioplasty (PBA). The aim of the present study is to determine if clinical outcomes following IP revascularization in our unit are concordant with those found in BASIL-1.

METHODS

We analyzed prospectively gathered data pertaining to 137 consecutive CLTI patients undergoing IP PBA or BS between 2009 and 2013. We compared 30-day morbidity and mortality, days in hospital (index admission and out to 12-months), amputation free survival (AFS), overall survival (OS), limb salvage (LS), and freedom from arterial re-intervention (FFR). Patient outcomes were censored on 1 February 2017, providing a minimum 3 years follow-up.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing BS (73/137, 47%) tended to be younger, have less comorbidity, and were more likely to be on best medical therapy (BMT). BS patients spent more days in hospital during the index admission (median 9 vs 5, p = .003), but not out to 12 months (median 15 vs 13, NS). BS patients suffered more 30-day morbidity (36% vs 10%, p < .001), mainly due to infective complications, but not mortality (3.1% vs 6.8%, NS). AFS (p = .001) and OS (p < .001), but not LS or FFR, were better after BS.

CONCLUSIONS

CLTI patients selected for revascularization by means of IP BS had better long-term outcomes in terms of AFS and OS, but not FFR or LS. Although we await the results of the BASIL-2 trial, current data support the BASIL-1 sub-group analysis which suggests that patients requiring revascularization for IP disease should have BS where possible and that PBA should usually be reserved for patients who are not suitable for BS.

Comparison of Outcomes Following Infrapopliteal Plain Balloon Angioplasty in the BASIL Trial (1999-2004) and in a Contemporary Series (2009-2013)

Objectives:

To compare outcomes in patients randomized to infrapopliteal (IP) plain balloon angioplasty (PBA) for chronic limb-threatening ischemia within the Bypass versus Angioplasty in Severe Ischemia of the Leg (BASIL)-1 trial between 1999 and 2004 with outcomes in consecutive patients undergoing IP PBA at an academic vascular unit a decade later (2009-2013, Contemporary series [CS]).

Methods:

Individual patient data were obtained from prospective BASIL-1 (48 patients) and CS databases (73 patients). All had a minimum of 3-years of follow-up. Outcomes studied were amputation-free survival (AFS), overall survival (OS), major (above ankle) limb amputation, arterial reintervention, immediate technical success, and length of hospital stay for the index procedure and during the following 12-month period. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.4.

Results:

The BASIL and CS cohorts were well matched for gender, age, diabetes, previous stroke, myocardial infarction and arterial intervention, and presence of tissue loss. More patients in BASIL-1 underwent concomitant treatment of the superficial femoral (60% vs 37%, P = .01) and above knee popliteal (60% vs 34%, P = .005) arteries. Immediate technical success increased from 73% in BASIL-1 to 90% in the CS ( P = .01). Between the two cohorts, there were no differences in AFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65-1.54, P = 1.0), OS (HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.66-1.62, P = .9), major amputation (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.37-1.97, P = .7), or reintervention (HR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.29-1.27, P = .2). Contemporary series patients spent significantly fewer days in hospital following the index procedure ( P = .02) and also over the following 12 months ( P = .002).

Conclusions:

Despite improvements in the immediate technical angiographic success of IP PBA between BASIL and the CS, there were no significant improvements in survival outcomes. Results from BASIL-2 and BEST-CLI are required in order to properly define the clinical and cost-effectiveness of endovascular treatment in such patients.

Global Vascular Guidelines on the Management of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

GUIDELINE SUMMARY

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is associated with mortality, amputation, and impaired quality of life. These Global Vascular Guidelines (GVG) are focused on definition, evaluation, and management of CLTI with the goals of improving evidence-based care and highlighting critical research needs. The term CLTI is preferred over critical limb ischemia, as the latter implies threshold values of impaired perfusion rather than a continuum. CLTI is a clinical syndrome defined by the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in combination with rest pain, gangrene, or a lower limb ulceration >2 weeks duration. Venous, traumatic, embolic, and nonatherosclerotic etiologies are excluded. All patients with suspected CLTI should be referred urgently to a vascular specialist. Accurately staging the severity of limb threat is fundamental, and the Society for Vascular Surgery Threatened Limb Classification system, based on grading of Wounds, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) is endorsed. Objective hemodynamic testing, including toe pressures as the preferred measure, is required to assess CLTI. Evidence-based revascularization (EBR) hinges on three independent axes: Patient risk, Limb severity, and ANatomic complexity (PLAN). Average-risk and high-risk patients are defined by estimated procedural and 2-year all-cause mortality. The GVG proposes a new Global Anatomic Staging System (GLASS), which involves defining a preferred target artery path (TAP) and then estimating limb-based patency (LBP), resulting in three stages of complexity for intervention. The optimal revascularization strategy is also influenced by the availability of autogenous vein for open bypass surgery. Recommendations for EBR are based on best available data, pending level 1 evidence from ongoing trials. Vein bypass may be preferred for average-risk patients with advanced limb threat and high complexity disease, while those with less complex anatomy, intermediate severity limb threat, or high patient risk may be favored for endovascular intervention. All patients with CLTI should be afforded best medical therapy including the use of antithrombotic, lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, and glycemic control agents, as well as counseling on smoking cessation, diet, exercise, and preventive foot care. Following EBR, long-term limb surveillance is advised. The effectiveness of nonrevascularization therapies (eg, spinal stimulation, pneumatic compression, prostanoids, and hyperbaric oxygen) has not been established. Regenerative medicine approaches (eg, cell, gene therapies) for CLTI should be restricted to rigorously conducted randomizsed clinical trials. The GVG promotes standardization of study designs and end points for clinical trials in CLTI. The importance of multidisciplinary teams and centers of excellence for amputation prevention is stressed as a key health system initiative.