Does the clinical examination predict lower extremity peripheral arterial disease?

Artificial intelligence of arterial Doppler waveforms to predict major adverse outcomes among patients with diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are at increased risk for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and its complications. Arterial calcification and non-compressibility may limit test interpretation in this population. Developing tools capable of identifying PAD and predicting major adverse cardiac event (MACE) and limb event (MALE) outcomes among patients with DM would be clinically useful. Deep neural network analysis of resting Doppler arterial waveforms was used to detect PAD among patients with DM and to identify those at greatest risk for major adverse outcome events.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with DM undergoing lower limb arterial testing (April 1, 2015-December 30, 2020) were randomly allocated to training, validation, and testing subsets (60%, 20%, and 20%). Deep neural networks were trained on resting posterior tibial arterial Doppler waveforms to predict all-cause mortality, MACE, and MALE at 5 years using quartiles based on the distribution of the prediction score.

RESULTS

Among 11,384 total patients, 4211 patients with DM met study criteria (mean age, 68.6 ± 11.9 years; 32.0% female). After allocating the training and validation subsets, the final test subset included 856 patients. During follow-up, there were 262 deaths, 319 MACE, and 99 MALE. Patients in the upper quartile of prediction based on deep neural network analysis of the posterior tibial artery waveform provided independent prediction of death (hazard ratio [HR], 3.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.31-5.56), MACE (HR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.49-2.91), and MALE (HR, 13.50; 95% CI, 5.83-31.27).

CONCLUSIONS

An artificial intelligence enabled analysis of a resting Doppler arterial waveform permits identification of major adverse outcomes including all-cause mortality, MACE, and MALE among patients with DM.

2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, chronic symptomatic, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, and acute limb ischemia).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from October 2020 to June 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that was published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2023 during the peer review process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables where appropriate.

STRUCTURE

Recommendations from the "2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with peripheral artery disease have been developed.

2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, chronic symptomatic, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, and acute limb ischemia).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from October 2020 to June 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that was published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2023 during the peer review process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables where appropriate.

STRUCTURE

Recommendations from the "2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with peripheral artery disease have been developed.

Bismuth Chelate-Mediated Digital Subtraction Angiography

Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is considered the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of vascular diseases. However, the contrast agents used in DSA are limited to iodine (I)-based small molecules, which are unsuitable for patients with contraindications. Here, iodine-free DSA utilizing a bismuth (Bi) chelate, Bi-DTPA Dimeglumine, is proposed for vascular visualization for the first time. Bi-DTPA Dimeglumine possesses a simple synthesis process without the need for purification, large-scale production ability (over 200 g in the lab), superior X-ray imaging capability, renal clearance capacity, and good biocompatibility. Bi-DTPA-enhanced DSA can clearly display the arteries of the rabbit's head and lower limbs, with a minimum vascular resolution of 0.5 mm. The displayed integrity of terminal vessels by Bi-DTPA-enhanced DSA is superior to that of iopromide-enhanced DSA. In a rabbit model of thrombotic disease, Bi-DTPA Dimeglumine-enhanced DSA enables the detection of embolism and subsequent reevaluation of vascular conditions after recanalization therapy. This proposed iodine-free DSA provides a promising and universal approach for diagnosing vascular diseases.

Artificial Intelligence of Arterial Doppler Waveforms to Predict Major Adverse Outcomes Among Patients Evaluated for Peripheral Artery Disease

BACKGROUND

Patients with peripheral artery disease are at increased risk for major adverse cardiac events, major adverse limb events, and all-cause death. Developing tools capable of identifying those patients with peripheral artery disease at greatest risk for major adverse events is the first step for outcome prevention. This study aimed to determine whether computer-assisted analysis of a resting Doppler waveform using deep neural networks can accurately identify patients with peripheral artery disease at greatest risk for adverse outcome events.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Consecutive patients (April 1, 2015, to December 31, 2020) undergoing ankle-brachial index testing were included. Patients were randomly allocated to training, validation, and testing subsets (60%/20%/20%). Deep neural networks were trained on resting posterior tibial arterial Doppler waveforms to predict major adverse cardiac events, major adverse limb events, and all-cause death at 5 years. Patients were then analyzed in groups based on the quartiles of each prediction score in the training set. Among 11 384 total patients, 10 437 patients met study inclusion criteria (mean age, 65.8±14.8 years; 40.6% women). The test subset included 2084 patients. During 5 years of follow-up, there were 447 deaths, 585 major adverse cardiac events, and 161 MALE events. After adjusting for age, sex, and Charlson comorbidity index, deep neural network analysis of the posterior tibial artery waveform provided independent prediction of death (hazard ratio [HR], 2.44 [95% CI, 1.78-3.34]), major adverse cardiac events (HR, 1.97 [95% CI, 1.49-2.61]), and major adverse limb events (HR, 11.03 [95% CI, 5.43-22.39]) at 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

An artificial intelligence-enabled analysis of Doppler arterial waveforms enables identification of major adverse outcomes among patients with peripheral artery disease, which may promote early adoption and adherence of risk factor modification.

Comparison of Minimally Invasive and Open Approaches for Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy Reconstruction

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CNA) is a progressive disease affecting the bones and joints of the foot that can lead to instability, breakdown, and collapse. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques are becoming a popular option within musculoskeletal surgery of the foot and ankle and may be an alternative to aggressive dissection seen during corrective surgery. An MIS approach minimizes vascular disruption, provides structural stability at an osteotomy or arthrodesis site, and encourages early mobilization if indicated. This retrospective study compares 17 patients who underwent an open approach for midfoot CNA reconstruction with 17 patients who underwent an MIS approach for midfoot CNA reconstruction. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic parameters were measured: lateral talus-first metatarsal, anteroposterior (AP) talus-first metatarsal, calcaneal pitch, and cuboid height. Difficulties that occurred during treatment were gathered and sorted into postoperative problems (stage I), obstacles (stage II), and complications (stage III). Changes from preoperative to postoperative radiographic lateral talus-first metatarsal and AP talus-first metatarsal angles were statistically significant (p < .001) for both the MIS and open approach. No true postoperative complications (stage III) were observed at last follow-up. The most common difficulty encountered was pin-site infection (stage I; in 23.5% of patients) in the MIS group. In the open group, the most common complications were wound development (stage I; 23.5%) and nonunions (stage II; 23.5%). Our findings suggest that midfoot CNA reconstruction with MIS methods offers similar outcomes to the open approach.

[Epidemiology and diagnosis of PAD]

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is considered a marker disease of multi-locular atherosclerosis and is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular events. PAD is both underdiagnosed and undertreated in everyday clinical practice. The disease is often asymptomatic and is often only diagnosed at an advanced stage, especially in diabetics. Therefore, the early diagnosis of PAD is of central importance to provide patients with stage-appropriate therapy at an early stage.

Management of Midfoot Charcot: Minimally Invasive Techniques and Improved Fixation

The objective of this article is to review the etiology and pathophysiology of Charcot neuroarthropathy as it contributes to the breakdown of the midfoot. The article will also discuss the emerging techniques in minimally invasive surgery and how this is applied to Charcot reconstructive surgery as well as reflect on a newer thought processes to surgical intervention.

Peripheral Artery Disease: Overview of Diagnosis and Medical Therapy

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects approximately 230 million people worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular and limb events. Even though this condition is considered a cardiovascular equivalent, it remains an underrecognized and undertreated entity. Antiplatelet and statin therapy, along with smoking cessation, are the foundations of therapy to reduce adverse events but are challenging to fully implement in this patient population. Race and socioeconomic status also have profound impacts on PAD outcomes.

What are the current diabetic foot assessment methods in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium: an exploratory mixed method study

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot assessments detect patients at risk for developing a diabetes-related foot ulceration and can significantly reduce the risk of amputation. In order to organize this assessment effectively, diabetic foot assessment guidelines are required according to the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot. However, these international guidelines have not been adapted into a national guideline for podiatrists in Flanders, Belgium. This study aims to identify the methods and guidelines currently used to assess the diabetic foot in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium and to explore the podiatrists' opinions on developing a national diabetic foot assessment guideline.

METHODS

This exploratory mixed method study was composed of an anonymous online survey comprising of open- and closed-ended questions followed by 1:1 online semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited via e-mail and a closed private Facebook group of podiatry alumni. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistics and thematic analysis described by Braun and Clarke.

RESULTS

This study showed that the vascular assessment of the diabetic foot exists solely of a medical history and palpation of the pedal pulses. Non-invasive tests such as doppler, toe brachial pressure index or ankle brachial pressure index are seldom used. Only 66% reported to use a guideline for the diabetic foot assessment. There was a variety of reported guidelines and risk stratification systems in use in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium.

CONCLUSION

Non-invasive tests such as the doppler, ankle brachial pressure index or toe brachial pressure index are rarely used for the vascular assessment of the diabetic foot. Diabetic foot assessment guidelines and risk stratification systems to identify patients at risk for developing a diabetic foot ulcer were not frequently used. International guidelines of the International Working Group of the Diabetic Foot have not yet been implemented in private podiatry practices in Flanders, Belgium. This exploratory research has provided useful information for future research studies.

Buerger's Disease as a Cause of Post-Operative Skin Necrosis: A Case Report

Postoperative skin necrosis occurs due to various causes, including infections, lack of oxygenation, underlying diseases, and lack of nutrition. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of the cause of skin necrosis should be conducted. In the present case, the patient underwent disarticulation of the interphalangeal joint of the right first toe by an orthopedic surgeon and developed postoperative skin necrosis. Through physical examination, imaging studies, and detailed medical history evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with thromboangiitis obliterans, also known as Buerger's disease. After 4 months of medication for Buerger's disease and smoking cessation, the wound healed without complications or recurrence. Therefore, in cases of untreatable chronic wounds in young and heavy smoking patients, Buerger's disease should be suspected as a potential cause.

Identifying peripheral arterial diseases or flow limitations of the lower limb: Important aspects for cardiovascular screening for referral in physiotherapy

Many conditions could potentially cause pain in the lower limbs. One of these is peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD is often a real challenge to be recognized for clinicians due to symptoms that commonly mimic musculoskeletal conditions. PAD is defined as a total or partial blockage of the vessels that supply blood from the heart to the periphery. Its prevalence is around 7 percent in subjects between 55 and 59, reaching almost 25% in individuals between 95 and 99 years old. The most dominant symptom of PAD is lower limb pain. Also, PAD can produce other symptoms such as discoloration, altered skin temperature, and, when arterial blood flow is insufficient to meet the metabolic demands of resting muscle or tissue, focal areas of ischemia. In our view, physical therapists should be capable of triaging for PAD in a direct access setting. Therefore, in this Professional Issue, we present the main characteristics of PAD and the physiotherapy role in its management. A supplementary step-by-step guide will provide further resources for testing PAD.

Peripheral arterial disease and hypertension

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Hypertension (HTN) is a well known risk factor for atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). PAD affects more than 250 million people globally and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Although multiple studies have been performed to evaluate treatment of HTN in patients with PAD, blood pressure management in this high-risk cohort remains poor.

RECENT FINDINGS

There has been conflicting evidence regarding blood pressure goals in PAD with some recent studies showing adverse outcomes with low blood pressure in this patient population. Current guidelines, however, continue to recommend treatment goals in PAD patients similar to patients without PAD. To date, no single antihypertensive drug class has shown a clear benefit in PAD population over other antihypertensive drug classes.

SUMMARY

Prospective randomized trials enrolling PAD patients are required that can shed light on optimum blood pressure target and also distinguish between different antihypertensive drugs in terms of reducing adverse outcomes.

Australian guideline on diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease: part of the 2021 Australian evidence-based guidelines for diabetes-related foot disease

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is implicated in up to 50% of diabetes-related foot ulcers (DFU) and significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in this population. An evidence-based guideline that is relevant to the national context including consideration of the unique geographical and health care system differences between Australia and other countries, and delivery of culturally safe care to First Nations people, is urgently required to improve outcomes for patients with PAD and DFU in Australia. We aimed to identify and adapt current international guidelines for diagnosis and management of patients with PAD and DFU to develop an updated Australian guideline.

Methods

Using a panel of national content experts and the National Health and Medical Research Council procedures, the 2019 International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) guidelines were adapted to the Australian context. The guideline adaptation frameworks ADAPTE and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) were applied to the IWGDF guideline for PAD by the expert panel. Recommendations were then adopted, adapted or excluded, and specific considerations for implementation, population subgroups, monitoring and future research in Australia were developed with accompanying clinical pathways provided to support guideline implementation.

Results

Of the 17 recommendations from the IWGDF Guideline on diagnosis, prognosis and management of PAD in patients with diabetes with and without foot ulcers, 16 were adopted for the Australian guideline and one recommendation was adapted due to the original recommendation lacking feasibility in the Australian context. In Australia we recommend all people with diabetes and DFU undergo clinical assessment for PAD with accompanying bedside testing. Further vascular imaging and possible need for revascularisation should be considered for all patients with non-healing DFU irrespective of bedside results. All centres treating DFU should have expertise in, and/or rapid access to facilities necessary to diagnose and treat PAD, and should provide multidisciplinary care post-operatively, including implementation of intensive cardiovascular risk management.

Conclusions

A guideline containing 17 recommendations for the diagnosis and management of PAD for Australian patients with DFU was developed with accompanying clinical pathways. As part of the adaptation of the IWGDF guideline to the Australian context, recommendations are supported by considerations for implementation, monitoring, and future research priorities, and in relation to specific subgroups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and geographically remote people. This manuscript has been published online in full with the authorisation of Diabetes Feet Australia and can be found on the Diabetes Feet Australia website: https://www.diabetesfeetaustralia.org/new-guidelines/.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13047-022-00550-7.

Peripheral Arterial Disease Prevalence in a Population-Based Sample of People with Diabetes on the Caribbean Island of Barbados

Background

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a risk factor for amputation and systemic atherosclerotic disease. Barbados has a high diabetes prevalence, and 89% of diabetes-related hospital admissions are for foot problems. Foot examination is infrequent in Barbados primary care. The prevalence and potential risk factors for PAD in people with diabetes in Barbados were studied.

Methods

Multistage probability sampling was used to select a representative population sample of people ≥25 years of age with known diabetes or fasting blood glucose ≥7 mmol/L or HbA1c ≥6.5%. We administered the Edinburgh claudication questionnaire and assessed the ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) and Doppler waveform in both dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries. Participants were classified into categories based on ABI as follows: PAD ≤0.90 in any leg; borderline 0.91 to 0.99 in one leg and the other not ≤0.90 or >0.4; normal 1.00 to 1.40 in both legs; and non-compressible >1.40 in one leg and the other not ≤0.9. Waveforms crossing the zero-flow baseline were categorised as normal. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the associations of potential risk factors with PAD.

Results

Of 236 participants (74% response rate, 33% male, median age 58.6 years), 51% had previously diagnosed diabetes. Of nine people with symptoms of definite or atypical claudication, four had PAD and one had non-compressible arteries. ABI prevalence (95% CI) was PAD 18.6% (13.8, 24.6), borderline 21.9% (16.6, 28.4), normal 55.5% (49.4, 61.5) and non-compressible 3.9% (1.6, 9.3). Increasing age and female gender were independently associated with PAD. Over 80% of normal legs (ABI 1.00 to 1.40) had normal posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis waveforms, while only 23% legs with PAD (ABI ≤0.90) had normal waveforms in both arteries (Kappa = 0.43).

Conclusion

Asymptomatic PAD is common in people with diabetes and requires ABI screening to detect it. Female gender is associated with PAD.

The Ability of Clinical Decision Rules to Detect Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Narrative Review

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common cause of lower extremity wound. Consequently, PAD leads to a cause of leg amputation nowadays, especially in diabetic patients. In general practice (GP), confrontation with PAD prevention is a challenge. In general, ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement can be used as a PAD diagnostic tool, but this takes some time. The tool is not generally available and this need to train healthcare workers to perform. Multiple independent predictors developed the diagnostic prediction model known as clinical decision rules (CDRs) to identify patients with high-risk PAD. This might therefore limit the number of patients (only high-risk patients) to refer for ABI evaluation. This narrative review summarized existing CDRs for PAD.

Artificial intelligence for the evaluation of peripheral artery disease using arterial Doppler waveforms to predict abnormal ankle-brachial index

BACKGROUND

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at increased risk for major adverse limb and cardiac events including mortality. Developing screening tools capable of accurate PAD identification is a necessary first step for strategies of adverse outcome prevention. This study aimed to determine whether machine analysis of a resting Doppler waveform using deep neural networks can accurately identify patients with PAD.

METHODS

Consecutive patients (4/1/2015 - 12/31/2020) undergoing rest and postexercise ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing were included. Patients were randomly allocated to training, validation, and testing subsets (70%/15%/15%). Deep neural networks were trained on resting posterior tibial arterial Doppler waveforms to predict normal (> 0.9) or PAD (⩽ 0.9) using rest and postexercise ABI. A separate dataset of 151 patients who underwent testing during a period after the model had been created and validated (1/1/2021 - 3/31/2021) was used for secondary validation. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were constructed to evaluate test performance.

RESULTS

Among 11,748 total patients, 3432 patients met study criteria: 1941 with PAD (mean age 69 ± 12 years) and 1491 without PAD (64 ± 14 years). The predictive model with highest performance identified PAD with an AUC 0.94 (CI = 0.92-0.96), sensitivity 0.83, specificity 0.88, accuracy 0.85, and positive predictive value (PPV) 0.90. Results were similar for the validation dataset: AUC 0.94 (CI = 0.91-0.98), sensitivity 0.91, specificity 0.85, accuracy 0.89, and PPV 0.89 (postexercise ABI comparison).

CONCLUSION

An artificial intelligence-enabled analysis of a resting Doppler arterial waveform permits identification of PAD at a clinically relevant performance level.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society 2022 Guidelines for Peripheral Arterial Disease

Patients with widespread atherosclerosis such as peripheral artery disease (PAD) have a high risk of cardiovascular and limb symptoms and complications, which affects their quality of life and longevity. Over the past 2 decades there have been substantial advances in diagnostics, pharmacotherapy, and interventions including endovascular and open surgical to aid in the management of PAD patients. To summarize the evidence regarding approaches to diagnosis, risk stratification, medical and intervention treatments for patients with PAD, guided by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework, evidence was synthesized, and assessed for quality, and recommendations provided-categorized as weak or strong for each prespecified research question. Fifty-six recommendations were made, with 27% (15/56) graded as strong recommendations with high-quality evidence, 14% (8/56) were designated as strong recommendations with moderate-quality evidence, and 20% (11/56) were strong recommendations with low quality of evidence. Conversely 39% (22/56) were classified as weak recommendations. For PAD patients, strong recommendations on the basis of high-quality evidence, include smoking cessation interventions, structured exercise programs for claudication, lipid-modifying therapy, antithrombotic therapy with a single antiplatelet agent or dual pathway inhibition with low-dose rivaroxaban and aspirin; treatment of hypertension with an angiotensin converting enzyme or angiotensin receptor blocker; and for those with diabetes, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor should be considered. Furthermore, autogenous grafts are more effective than prosthetic grafts for surgical bypasses for claudication or chronic limb-threatening ischemia involving the popliteal or distal arteries. Other recommendations indicated that new endovascular techniques and hybrid procedures be considered in patients with favourable anatomy and patient factors, and finally, the evidence for perioperative risk stratification for PAD patients who undergo surgery remains weak.

Generalization of a clinical diagnosis support tool for lumbar spinal stenosis: Can the ankle brachial pressure index be replaced by palpation of the posterior tibial artery in the lumbar spinal stenosis diagnostic support tool? (DISTO project)

BACKGROUND

The Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research previously developed a diagnostic support tool for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS-DST). Using the LSS-DST, general physicians can identify potential cases of LSS. However, in the LSS-DST, measurement of the ankle brachial pressure index (ABI) is required to exclude peripheral artery lesions in the lower limbs. We can expect further application of the LSS-DST if we can identify a simpler and easier method than ABI measurement. Therefore, in this large-scale, multicenter, cross-sectional study, we verified whether palpation of the posterior tibial (PT) artery could be used instead of ABI in the LSS-DST.

METHODS

This survey was conducted at 2177 hospitals and included 28,883 participants. The sensitivity and specificity of the original LSS-DST method using the ABI and that of the LSS-DST ver2.0 with PT artery palpation were assessed to screen their ability for diagnosing LSS, using the physicians' final diagnosis based on the patients' history, physical examination and radiographic findings as the gold standard.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity [95%CI] of the LSS-DST were 88.2% [87.5, 88.8] and 83.9% [83.4, 84.5], respectively, whereas the sensitivity and specificity of the LSS-DST ver2.0 were 87.7% [87.0, 88.3] and 78.3% [77.7, 78.9], respectively, indicating that LSS-DST ver2.0 is a useful screening tool for LSS with good sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

When the item of ABI in the LSS-DST is replaced by palpation of the PT artery (LSS-DST ver2.0), its sensitivity is maintained as a screening tool for LSS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

Mortality of older persons with and without abnormalities in the physical examination of arterial system

BACKGROUND

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a screening tool for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, persons with normal ABI may still exhibit abnormalities in the physical examination of arterial system (PHEA).

OBJECTIVE

In older persons from the PolSenior study, we aimed to assess the risk of total mortality associated with abnormalities in PHEA in the context of dichotomised ABI.

METHODS

We used data from the PolSenior survey and matched them with mortality information from the Polish Census Bureau. We obtained sociodemographic, medical history, and lifestyle data. The PHEA by a geriatrician included carotid, femoral, popliteal, posterior tibial and the dorsalis pedis arterial pulses, and auscultation of aorta, carotid, femoral, and renal arteries. Ankle-brachial index was tibial to brachial SBP ratio. We plotted the stratified Kaplan-Meier curves and used Cox's regression to assess the unadjusted and adjusted influence of PHEA result on time to death.

RESULTS

The mean (standard deviation, SD) age of 852 persons (46.7% women) was 74.7 (10.6) years. In the ABI < 0.9 group, the PHEA was not associated with mortality. However, in the ABI ≥ 0.9 group, both in unadjusted and adjusted (RHR; 95% CI: 1.08; 1.02-1.16, p = 0.01) Cox regression, PHEA greater by 1 score was associated with mortality. Presence of 4 or more PHEA abnormalities was raising the risk in the ABI ≥ 0.9 group to the level associated with ABI < 0.9.

CONCLUSIONS

In the older persons with normal ABI, the greater number of abnormalities during physical examination of arteries may be indicative of higher risk of death.

Clinical factors associated with peripheral artery disease in patients with documented coronary artery disease: A post hoc analysis of the COMPASS trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who also have peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at high risk of subsequent cardiovascular events and mortality. Despite this, PAD in patients with CAD often remains undiagnosed. The objective of this analysis was to assess clinical factors that predict the presence of PAD in patient with documented CAD who also have PAD.

METHODS

In a post hoc analysis of patients with CAD in the COMPASS trial, we developed separate prediction models for symptomatic lower extremity PAD and documented carotid artery disease (Model 1), asymptomatic lower extremity PAD defined as ABI <0.9 (Model 2) and for any PAD (symptomatic or asymptomatic; Model 3). Using logistic regression models, candidate variables were chosen to predict the presence of PAD. Overall model performance was evaluated for discrimination and calibration using the concordance statistic and Hosmer and Lemeshow Goodness-of-fit chi-square, respectively. The final model was validated by bootstrapping.

RESULTS

Of 23,402 participants, 3484 (14.9%) had a history of symptomatic PAD or carotid artery disease (Model 1), 1422 (5.7%) participants had asymptomatic PAD (Model 2) and 4906 (20.6%) had any PAD (Model 3). Model 1 demonstrated a C-statistic of 0.667 and goodness-of-fit p-value of 0.859. Model 2 demonstrated a C-statistic of 0.626 and goodness-of-fit p-value of 0.250. Model 3 demonstrated a C-statistic of 0.646 and goodness-of-fit p-value of 0.240.

CONCLUSION

Routinely available clinical information is only marginally useful to identify patients with CAD and concomitant PAD.

Computational methods to automate the initial interpretation of lower extremity arterial Doppler and duplex carotid ultrasound studies

BACKGROUND

Lower extremity arterial Doppler (LEAD) and duplex carotid ultrasound studies are used for the initial evaluation of peripheral arterial disease and carotid stenosis. However, intra- and inter-laboratory variability exists between interpreters, and other interpreter responsibilities can delay the timeliness of the report. To address these deficits, we examined whether machine learning algorithms could be used to classify these Doppler ultrasound studies.

METHODS

We developed a hierarchical deep learning model to classify aortoiliac, femoropopliteal, and trifurcation disease in LEAD ultrasound studies and a random forest machine learning algorithm to classify the amount of carotid stenosis from duplex carotid ultrasound studies using experienced physician interpretation in an active, credentialed vascular laboratory as the reference standard. Waveforms, pressures, flow velocities, and the presence of plaque were input into a hierarchal neural network. Artificial intelligence was developed to automate the interpretation of these LEAD and carotid duplex ultrasound studies. Statistical analysis was performed using the confusion matrix.

RESULTS

We extracted 5761 LEAD ultrasound studies from 2015 to 2017 and 18,650 duplex carotid ultrasound studies from 2016 to 2018 from the Indiana University Health system. The results showed the ability of artificial intelligence algorithms and method, with 97.0% accuracy for predicting normal cases, 88.2% accuracy for aortoiliac disease, 90.1% accuracy for femoropopliteal disease, and 90.5% accuracy for trifurcation disease. For internal carotid artery stenosis, the accuracy was 99.2% for predicting 0% to 49% stenosis, 100% for predicting 50% to 69% stenosis, 100% for predicting >70% stenosis, and 100% for predicting occlusion. For common carotid artery stenosis, the accuracy was 99.9% for predicting 0% to 49% stenosis, 100% for predicting 50% to 99% stenosis, and 100% for predicting occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The machine learning models using LEAD data, with the collected blood pressure and waveform data, and duplex carotid ultrasound data with the flow velocities and the presence of plaque, showed that novel machine learning models are reliable in differentiating normal from diseased arterial systems and accurate in classifying the extent of vascular disease.

Prevalence of Vascular Complications Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in a Rural Health Center in South India

Introduction: Vascular complications are the major cause of morbidity in patients with diabetes mellitus. Screening for these complications is crucial in early detection and tertiary prevention. Hence, this study aimed at finding the prevalence of micro and macrovascular complications and their associated factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in a rural health center by using simple and easily available tools. Methodology: This hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in Rural Health and Training Centre (RHTC) of Sri Ramachandra medical college from Jan 2017 to Aug 2017. All type 2 diabetes patients registered at RHTC were included in the study. By the use of questionnaire, clinical examination and laboratory investigations, the prevalence of macro and microvascular complications and associated factors were ascertained. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with vascular complications of diabetes. Results: The study included 390 type 2 diabetes patients. The overall prevalence of macrovascular and microvascular complications in our study population was 29.7% and 52.1%, respectively. Among the macrovascular complications, both coronary artery disease (CAD) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) had a prevalence rate of 15.1%. Among the microvascular complications, peripheral neuropathy (44.9%) had the highest prevalence followed by nephropathy (12.1%) and diabetic foot (7.2%). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed high HbA1c level, lower education, high postprandial blood sugar, hypertension, abdominal obesity were significantly associated with increased risk of vascular complications of diabetes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the increased prevalence of vascular complications in Type 2 diabetes patients in rural India. Regular screening to identify those patients at risk could prevent further progression of complications.

Diagnosis and Management of Peripheral Artery Diseases

Распространенность заболеваний периферических артерий (ЗПА) во всем мире достигает порядка 200 миллионов человек. Самым частым клиническим проявлением ЗПА является перемежающая хромота, возникающая вследствие недостаточного кровоснабжения пораженной конечности. В настоящем обзоре литературы обобщены и систематизированы последние достижения в области диагностики и лечения пациентов с перемежающей хромотой. Тщательный сбор анамнеза и физикальное обследование являются первоочередными мероприятиями для установления предварительного диагноза и направлены на дифференциацию сосудистых и нейрогенных причин перемежающей хромоты. Лодыжечно-плечевой индекс относится к наиболее часто используемым методам скрининга и диагностики ЗПА. Основу лечения составляют четыре взаимодополняющих подхода: немедикаментозное и лекарственное лечение для купирования симптомов хронической ишемии, фармакотерапия для вторичной профилактики сердечно-сосудистых осложнений, открытая или эндоваскулярная реваскуляризация для увеличения дистанции безболевой ходьбы. Недавнее исследование COMPASS продемонстрировало преимущества комбинированного применения 2,5 мг ривароксабана дважды в день и аспирина в части снижения уровня неблагоприятных сердечно-сосудистых событий, при этом отмечался более высокий риск геморрагических осложнений. На сегодняшний день цилостазол является единственным препаратом, обладающим доказанной терапевтической эффективностью в отношении перемежающей хромоты. Программы лечебной физкультуры под наблюдением врача либо в домашних условиях способствуют улучшению коллатерального кровообращения и увеличивают дистанцию ходьбы без боли. Назначение высоких доз статинов и антитромбоцитарных препаратов абсолютно обосновано всем пациентам с ЗПА. Ингибиторы ангиотензин-превращающего фермента обеспечивают дополнительное снижение кардиоваскулярных рисков, в особенности у пациентов с сахарным диабетом и артериальной гипертензией.

The prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) worldwide reaches about 200 million people. The most frequent clinical manifestation of PAD is intermittent claudication, which occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the affected limb. This literature review summarizes and systematizes recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with intermittent claudication.Thorough case history collection and physical examination are the primary measures for making a preliminary diagnosis, which is aimed at differentiating the vascular and neurogenic causes of intermittent claudication. The ankle-shoulder index is one of the most commonly used methods for screening and diagnosing PAD. The basis of treatment consists of four complementary approaches: non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment for the relief of symptoms of chronic ischemia, pharmacotherapy for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular complications, open or endovascular revascularization to increase the distance of pain-free walking. A recent COMPASS study demonstrated the benefits of combining 2.5 mg of rivaroxaban twice daily with aspirin in reducing adverse cardiovascular events, however there was a higher risk of hemorrhagic complications. Today, cilostazol is the only drug with proven therapeutic effectiveness against intermittent claudication. Physical therapy programs under the supervision of a doctor or at home help to improve collateral blood circulation and increase the walking distance without pain. The administration of high doses of statins and antiplatelet drugs is absolutely justified in all patients with PAD. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors provide an additional reduction in cardiovascular risks, especially in patients with diabetes and hypertension.

Premature atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease: An underrecognized and undertreated disorder with a rising global prevalence

Premature atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD) of the lower extremities is characterized by disease diagnosis before the age of 50 years. The global prevalence of premature PAD has increased, and the disease is often underdiagnosed given heterogenous patient symptoms. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors like smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia as well as non-traditional risk factors like elevated lipoprotein(a), family history of PAD, hypercoagulability, and systemic inflammation are associated with premature PAD. Patients with premature PAD tend to have an aggressive vascular disease process, a high burden of cardiovascular risk factors, and other concomitant atherosclerotic vascular diseases like coronary artery disease. Prevention of cardiovascular events, improvement of symptoms and functional status, and prevention of adverse limb events are the main goals of patient management. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical evaluation, and management of patients with premature PAD.

Duplex Ultrasound May Predict the Best Level of Lower Limb Amputation in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Despite improved revascularization options, many patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLI) require lower limb amputation. Duplex ultrasound (DUS) is recommended as first-choice imaging technique in CLI. However, the prognostic utility of DUS for planning lower limb amputations has never been described before. This study aims to evaluate if DUS and findings from physical examination could be used to help predict the best level of lower limb amputation in patients with CLI.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 124 patients with CLI and a lower limb amputation was analyzed. Outcome measurements were reoperation, revision, and conversion rates, which were related to findings from physical examination and DUS examinations.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine reoperations were performed, of which 17 stump revisions and 22 conversions were from below- to above-knee amputation. There was a discrepancy in findings of physical examination and DUS of 25% and 64% of femoral and popliteal pulsations respectively. Conversion rates increased with a more proximal occlusion on DUS. All patients with a vascular occlusion in the aortoiliac trajectory or deep femoral artery required a higher amputation level.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical examination seems to be unreliable, and therefore should not be used to assess the optimal level of lower extremity amputation. Performing a primary above-knee amputation in patients with vascular occlusion in the aortoiliac trajectory or deep femoral artery could significantly reduce reoperation rates.

Higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in Ghana compared to Ghanaian migrants in Europe: The RODAM study

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that the burden of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is rising more rapidly than other forms of cardiovascular diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, but the extent to which they differ between rural and urban settings in Africa and upon migration to Europe is unknown. We assessed the burden of PAD among Ghanaians living in rural- and urban-Ghana and Ghanaian migrants living in three European countries.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analyses of baseline data from the multicenter Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study were done. Data from 5516 participants living in Europe (1487 Amsterdam, 546 Berlin, 1047 London) and Ghana [1419 urban and 1017 rural] aged 25-70years were included. PAD was defined as ankle brachial index≤0.90. Comparisons among sites were made using logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The age-standardized prevalence of PAD was higher in Ghanaians living in rural [7.52%, 95% CI = 5.87-9.51] and urban [8.93%, 7.44-10.64] Ghana than for their compatriots living in Europe [5.70%, 4.35-7.35 for London; 3.94%, 2.96-5.14 for Amsterdam; and 0.44%, 0.05-1.58 for Berlin]. The differences persisted even after adjustment for age, sex, education and the conventional cardiovascular risk factors [adjusted odds ratio = 3.16, 95% CI = 2.16-4.61, p < .001 for rural-Ghana; and 2.93, 1.87-4.58, p < .00 for urban-Ghana, compared with Ghanaian migrants in Europe].

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that Ghanaians living in Ghana have higher prevalence of PAD than their migrant compatriots. Further work is needed to identify potential factors driving the high prevalence of PAD among non-migrant Ghanaians to assist interventions aimed at reducing PAD burden.

How To Assess a Claudication and When To Intervene

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects close to 200 million people worldwide. Claudication is the most common presenting symptom for patients with PAD. This review summarizes the current diagnostic and treatment options for patients with claudication. Comprehensive history and physical examination in order to differentiate between claudication secondary to vascular disease vs. neurogenic causes is paramount for initial diagnosis. Ankle-brachial index is the most commonly used test for screening and diagnostic purposes. Treatment consists of four different approaches, which are best utilized in combination: non-pharmacological treatment for claudication improvement, pharmacological treatment for claudication improvement, pharmacological treatment for secondary risk reduction, and interventional treatment for claudication improvement.

RECENT FINDINGS

Cilostazol is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agent for symptomatic treatment of claudication. Supervised exercise programs provide the maximum benefit for claudication improvement, but home-based exercise programs are an alternative. High-intensity statins and an antiplatelet agent should be prescribed to all patients with PAD. Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors can provide additional risk reduction, especially in patients with diabetes or hypertension. Rivaroxaban of low dosage (2.5 mg twice daily) in combination with aspirin further decreases cardiovascular risk, but this reduction comes at the cost of higher bleeding risk. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a form of atherosclerotic disease that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide-one of its most common manifestations is intermittent claudication (IC), which results from insufficient blood flow to meet the metabolic demands of an affected extremity. This paper reviews the current literature regarding the workup, diagnosis, diagnostic modalities, treatment options, and management of intermittent claudication.

Absent or diminished pedal pulses and estimated GFR decline in patients with diabetic kidney disease

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a complication of type 2 diabetes that leads to critical limb ischemia and amputation. We tested whether absent or diminished pedal pulses (ADPPs) predicts subsequent renal functional decline in patients with diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD). We also examined the association between urinary biomarkers and ADPP as well as worsening CKD. Methods: Using a prospective longitudinal design, we studied 91 patients with type 2 diabetes and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from 7 to 146 mL/min/1.73 m2. Baseline pedal pulses were assessed by standardized history and physical examination. The primary endpoint was decline in eGFR >30%. Potential confounders of the relationship between pedal pulses and eGFR were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Results: Of 91 participants (median age 58 (range 30-83); median eGFR 72.4 ± 33.4 mL/min/1.73 m2), 43% had at least one ADPP. Baseline ADPP associated with increased risk of greater than 30% decline in eGFR (OR= 3.67, p = .004). This association remained significant (OR = 3.09, p = .029) after adjustment for traditional risk factors of renal function decline in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). In addition, urinary endothelin-1 (ET-1) was higher among patients with ADPP (p =.0006) and associated with eGFR decline greater than 30% (adjusted OR = 1.81, p = .035). Conclusions: ADPP is a strong predictor of decline in renal function in type 2 diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes and abnormal pedal pulses should be screened for DKD and monitored closely for progression of CKD.

Clinical examination of peripheral arterial disease and ankle-brachial index in a nationwide cohort of older subjects: practical implications

BACKGROUND

Prevalence of peripheral arterial disease increases with age and is related to increased morbidity and mortality. The clinical diagnosis includes the measurement of ankle-brachial index (ABI).

AIMS

To check the prevalence of abnormal ABI, and the value of physical examination of arterial system in detection of ABI < 0.9.

METHODS

We performed subgroup analysis of patients included in the PolSenior survey. We measured ABI, performed physical examination of arterial system, assessed laboratory and questionnaire factors related to atherosclerosis. Participants were divided according to ABI strata of < 0.9, 0.9-1.4 and > 1.4. Clinical score of abnormalities on physical examination was proposed. Using logistic regression, we obtained areas under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

The mean age of 844 participants (53.3% men) was 74.7 (10.6) years. ABI < 0.9 was found in 20.3% participants and it was linked to history of myocardial infarction, hypertension and renal failure. In the entire group, 72.4% of subjects declared, that they were able to walk a distance of 200 m without interruption. Higher clinical score was associated with lower ABI. Full physical examination (AUC = 0.67) followed by examination of lower extremities (AUC = 0.65) showed strongest diagnostic value for PAD based on ABI. Neither ABI nor clinical examination was a good predictor of the inability to walk 200 meters without difficulties.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS

Full clinical examination, only moderately, adds to detection of PAD. The ability to walk 200 m is not a good measure of PAD in older subjects.

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.

Global vascular guidelines on the management of chronic limb-threatening ischemia

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.

Physical examination to screen for peripheral artery disease in a defined Primary Care population: A diagnostic accuracy study

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an underdiagnosed prevalent disease which implies high cardiovascular risk. Professionals usually depend on physical examination to screen for PAD.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of physical examination to screen for PAD in a rural Primary Care population and to evaluate the nurse-physician level of agreement in pedal pulse palpation.

METHODS

Diagnostic accuracy study in which two experienced professionals (physician-nurse) prospectively performed pedal pulse palpation (grading as absent, reduced, normal, or bounding), femoral bruit auscultation and calf circumference (index tests) comparing with Doppler ABI (reference test, positive cut-off: 0.9 ≥ ABI ≥ 1.4) in 158 consecutive subjects.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

presence of diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, smoking habit (current or former), or age ≥ 65.

RESULTS

Of 315 legs included, PAD was confirmed in 38 (12.1%) legs. Absent dorsalis pedis (DP) and posterior tibial (PT) pulses were found in 37 (11.7%) and 67 (21.3%) legs, respectively. Regarding nurse evaluation, when a positive test was set if DP or PT were absent (more sensitive cut-off), sensitivity was = 86.8 (95% CI: 74.8-98.9), specificity = 82.7 (95% CI: 78.0-87.3), likelihood ratio+ = 5.01 (95% CI: 3.77-6.67), likelihood ratio- = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.07-0.36), and diagnostic odds ratio (dOR) = 31.5 (95% CI: 11.7-84.8). Age, diabetes, and calcification (ABI ≥ 1.4) influenced the rate of a false negative finding in pedal palpation. Physician-nurse weighted kappa coefficient was = 0.649 (95% CI: 0.599-0.699). The presence of a femoral bruit auscultation had a dOR = 3.8 (95% CI: 1.1-13.1), and a calf circumference <34.55 cm had a dOR = 3.2 (95% CI: 1.6-6.4).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In a mainly asymptomatic Primary Care population, pedal pulse palpation was by far the best diagnostic test, with good diagnostic accuracy and inter-rater agreement. In view of a high sensitivity and capacity to rule out the disease, pedal pulse palpation could be performed as a screening test for PAD and individuals at high cardiovascular risk.

Screening for Peripheral Artery Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment With the Ankle-Brachial Index: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement

IMPORTANCE

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a manifestation of atherosclerosis in the lower limbs. It can impair walking and, in severe cases, can lead to tissue loss, infection, and amputation. In addition to morbidity directly caused by PAD, patients with PAD are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, because atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that also causes coronary and cerebrovascular events.

OBJECTIVE

To update the 2013 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for PAD and CVD risk with the ankle-brachial index (ABI).

EVIDENCE REVIEW

The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on whether screening for PAD with the ABI in generally asymptomatic adults reduces morbidity or mortality from PAD or CVD. The current review expanded on the previous review to include individuals with diabetes and interventions that include supervised exercise and physical therapy intended to improve outcomes in the lower limbs.

FINDINGS

The USPSTF found few data on the accuracy of the ABI for identifying asymptomatic persons who can benefit from treatment of PAD or CVD. There are few studies addressing the benefits of treating screen-detected patients with PAD; 2 good-quality studies showed no benefit of using the ABI to manage daily aspirin therapy in unselected populations, and 2 studies showed no benefit from exercise therapy. No studies addressed the harms of screening, although the potential exists for overdiagnosis, labeling, and opportunity costs. Studies that addressed the harms of treatment showed nonsignificant results. Therefore, the USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient and that the balance of benefits and harms of screening for PAD with the ABI in asymptomatic adults cannot be determined.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for PAD and CVD risk with the ABI in asymptomatic adults. (I statement).

The Impact of Perioperative Ankle-Brachial Index and Clinical Status on Outcomes following Lower Extremity Bypass

BACKGROUND

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a common method of graft surveillance after infrainguinal lower extremity bypass (LEB) surgery and is recommended by the Society for Vascular Surgery. Several studies failed to show the benefit of ABI surveillance but were limited by sample size, and the practice remains variable.

METHODS

We identified all patients who underwent LEB for occlusive disease from the Vascular Study Group of New England Registry (VSGNE) between 2003 and 2016. Postoperative changes were defined as follows: improvement for ABI >0.15 at discharge or clinical status improved (i.e., symptoms improved from rest pain to asymptomatic, and so forth), no change if ABI was within 0.15 or no change in clinical status, or worsened if ABI decreased >0.15 or clinical status deteriorated. We determined the independent effect of these changes on rates of mortality, reintervention, patency loss, amputation, and Major Adverse Limb Events (MALE-above ankle amputation, revision, thrombectomy, or lysis). In addition, we compared the practice of perioperative ABI to follow-up without ABI using propensity scores with inverse probability weights.

RESULTS

We identified 7,994 patients undergoing their first intervention in the VSGNE, 2,251 of whom (29%) had both preoperative and discharge ABIs. Overall, 5,369 (67%) of the bypasses used vein, and 4,539 (57%) were femoropopliteal, with no difference in the rate of vein use or bypass type between those who had discharge ABIs and those who did not (P > 0.05). Most bypasses were performed for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (59% in the ABI group, 65% in those without ABI data, P < 0.01 for difference). At discharge, ABI remained stable in 22%, improved in 69%, and worsened in 9%, whereas clinical status remained stable in 12%, improved in 77%, and worsened in 12%. In univariate analysis, clinical status was associated with mortality, amputation, and MALE, but ABI change was only associated with mortality (all P < 0.01). After multivariable adjustment, ABI change was no longer associated with mortality and remained unassociated with amputation and MALE (P > 0.05), and the addition of ABI change to the models did not improve the fit of the model (likelihood ratio P > 0.05). Forgoing perioperative ABI was associated with higher rates of patency loss (P = 0.02), but not reinterventions (P = 0.57), or untreated patency loss (P = 0.17).

CONCLUSIONS

A change in clinical status, but not a change in ABI, was associated with adverse outcomes after LEB. In this group of VSGNE patients with follow-up, perioperative ABI did not add incremental value to clinical status alone as a method of graft surveillance.

Risk Focused Screening for Vascular Disease: One University Hospital's Experience

Introduction

Vascular screening programs have been gaining popularity in recent years; however, most programs accept all patients willing to participate. This study was designed to determine the yield of disease when screening examinations are limited to those most at risk, to stratify the amount of disease present in the at-risk population, and to establish which patients might benefit most from vascular screening.

Materials and Methods

Patients enrolled in a community outreach program for seniors 55 years of age and older were asked to participate in a free vascular screening. Screenings consisted of completion of a questionnaire, physical examination, limited carotid artery evaluation for stenosis, aorta evaluation for detection of aneurysm, and ankle/brachial index (ABI) calculation to detect peripheral vascular disease. Findings were grouped into “Normal,” “Mild disease,” and “Significant disease.” Findings were then compared with the following controllable risk factors: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), or smoking history.

Results

Between May 16 and October 17, 2007, 357 participants' (75 male, 157 female, mean age 72.9 years) results were analyzed. Overall, 140 participants (43%) had some form of vascular disease (“mild” and “significant” categories combined). Of 324 eligible participants, carotid findings showed 199 normal (61%), 104 mild (32%), and 21 significant (7%) results. Aorta findings showed 296 normal (91%), 25 mild (8%), and 3 significant (1%) results. ABI findings showed 278 normal (86%), 18 mild (6%), and 28 significant (8%) results. In participants with three or more risk factors, there was a greater probability that carotid ( p = 0.0022) and peripheral vascular disease ( p = 0.0003) would be detected; however, there was no predictive value for aortic aneurysm ( p = 0.5).

Conclusion

Vascular screening programs focusing on the at-risk population may reduce unnecessary testing compared with programs evaluating all patients willing to participate.

Color Doppler Ultrasonography Is a Useful Tool for Diagnosis of Peripheral Artery Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Ankle-Brachial Index 0.91 to 1.40

BACKGROUND

The clinical utility of ankle-brachial index (ABI) is not clear in subjects with less severe or calcified vessel. Therefore, we investigated the usefulness of color Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosing peripheral artery disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects.

METHODS

We analyzed 324 T2DM patients who concurrently underwent ABI and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurements and color Doppler ultrasonography from 2003 to 2006. The degree of stenosis in patients with PAD was determined according to Jager's criteria, and PAD was defined as grade III (50% to 99% stenosis) or IV stenosis (100% stenosis) by color Doppler ultrasonography. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed to evaluate the risk factors for PAD in patients with ABI 0.91 to 1.40.

RESULTS

Among the 324 patients, 77 (23.8%) had ABI 0.91 to 1.40 but were diagnosed with PAD. Color Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated that suprapopliteal arterial stenosis, bilateral lesions, and multivessel involvement were less common in PAD patients with ABI 0.91 to 1.40 than in those with ABI ≤0.90. A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that older age, current smoking status, presence of leg symptoms, and high CIMT were significantly associated with the presence of PAD in patients with ABI 0.91 to 1.40 after adjusting for conventional risk factors. CIMT showed significant power in predicting the presence of PAD in patients with ABI 0.91 to 1.40.

CONCLUSION

Color Doppler ultrasonography is a useful tool for the detection of PAD in T2DM patients with ABI 0.91 to 1.40 but a high CIMT.

The Evolving Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease through Guideline-Directed Recommendations

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) refers to partial or complete occlusion of one or more non-coronary arteries that leads to compromised blood flow and ischemia. Numerous processes are involved in arterial stenosis, however, atherosclerosis remains the most common etiology. PAD constitutes a major health economic problem, and it is estimated that over 200 million people around the world suffer from PAD, with at least 20% having some degree of claudication. The purpose of this review is to compare and contrast the guidelines on PAD published in 2005, 2011 and 2016 in terms of new recommendations and level of evidence for practicing clinicians.

Circulating Angiogenic Growth Factors in Diabetes Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease and Exertional Leg Pain in Ghana

Objective

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common complication of diabetes, associated with impairment in angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is regulated by angiogenic growth factors such as angiopoietin 1 (Ang-1), Ang-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We studied the association between angiogenic growth factors versus PAD and exertional leg symptoms in diabetes patients in Ghana.

Method

In this cross-sectional study, ankle-brachial index was measured with oscillometrically and exertional leg symptoms were screened with Edinburgh claudication questionnaire in 140 diabetes patients and 110 nondiabetes individuals. Circulating levels of Ang-1, Ang-2, and VEGF were measured with immunosorbent assay.

Results

The prevalence of PAD and exertional leg pain was 16.8% and 24.8%, respectively. Compared to non-PAD participants, PAD patients had higher VEGF levels [85.8 (37.5–154.5) versus 57.7 (16.6–161.1) p = 0.032] and lower Ang-1 levels [31.3 (24.8–42.6) versus 40.9 (28.2–62.1), p = 0.017]. In multivariable logistic regression, patients with exertional leg pain had increased the odds of plasma Ang-2 levels [OR (95% CI): 2.08 (1.08–6.41), p = 0.036].

Conclusion

Diabetes patients with PAD and exertional leg pain have imbalance in angiogenic growth factors, indicating impaired angiogenesis. In patients with exertional leg pains, Ang-2 may be an important biomarker.

Peripheral Artery Disease: What You Need to Know

Synopsis Claudication from peripheral artery disease (PAD) may mimic or coexist with musculoskeletal conditions and represents an important diagnostic consideration in patients over 50 years of age. Physical therapists are optimally positioned to recognize this condition by incorporating a vascular history and physical examination in appropriately selected patients. Recognition of PAD is important both from the standpoint of addressing the ischemic risk to the limb and because PAD is associated with high cerebrovascular and cardiovascular risk. Therefore, multidisciplinary management of patients with PAD is essential. Extensive evidence supports treatment of PAD-related claudication with supervised exercise, and physical therapists are well positioned to play an important role in this treatment. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(12):957-964. Epub 9 Oct 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7442.