Laser-assisted angioplasty for arterial occlusion of the lower limb: initial results and follow-up

Current assessment of endovascular therapy for infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease in patients with diabetes

Endovascular therapy has increasingly become the initial clinical option for the treatment of lower-extremity peripheral arterial occlusive disease not only for patients with claudication but also for those with critical limb ischemia. Despite this major clinical practice paradigm shift, the outcomes of endovascular therapy for peripheral arterial disease are difficult to evaluate and compare with established surgical benchmarks because of the lack of prospective randomized trials, incomplete characterization of indications for intervention, mixing of arterial segments and extent of disease treated, the multiplicity of endovascular therapy techniques used, the exclusion of early treatment failures, crossover to open bypass during follow-up, and the frequent lack of intermediate and long-term patency and limb salvage rates in life-table format. These data limitations are especially problematic when one tries to assess the outcomes of endovascular therapy in patients with diabetes. The purpose of the present article is to succinctly review and objectively analyze available data regarding the results of endovascular therapy in patients with diabetes.

Low-dose aspirin fails to inhibit increased platelet reactivity in patients with peripheral vascular disease

A study was performed to evaluate the effect of low-dose aspirin (75 mg/day) on platelet reactivity in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Platelet function was measured in 31 patients with advanced peripheral vascular disease requiring surgery. Shear-induced haemostasis and collagen-induced thrombus formation were used as indicators of platelet reactivity. They were measured in non-anticoagulated fresh whole blood samples ex vivo using a haemostatometer. Results were compared with those from 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Shear-induced haemostasis and collagen-induced thrombus formation were also measured in 18 of the 31 patients before the start of aspirin administration (before operation) and 1 week after surgery. Patients with advanced peripheral vascular disease were found to have increased platelet reactivity with a mean(s.e.m.) shear-induced haemostasis index of 1977(180) mmHg s compared with a control value of 3161(234) mmHg s (P < 0.001) and a mean(s.e.m.) collagen-induced thrombus formation index of 3980(460) mmHg s compared with a control value of 5350(420) mmHg s (P = 0.02). Perioperative low-dose aspirin failed to inhibit platelet function in patients with peripheral vascular disease.