The Role of Common Femoral Artery Endarterectomy in the Endovascular Era

Morbidity and mortality of common femoral endarterectomy

OBJECTIVE

Common femoral endarterectomy (CFE) comprises the current standard-of-care for symptomatic common femoral artery occlusive disease. Although it provides effective inflow revascularization via a single incision, it remains an invasive procedure in an often-frail patient population. The purpose of this retrospective clinical study was to assess the morbidity and mortality of CFE in a contemporary cohort.

METHODS

Consecutive CFEs performed at a large, urban hospital were reviewed. Six-month mortality, local complications (hematoma, lymphatic leak, pseudoaneurysm, wound infection, and/or dehiscence), and systemic complications were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 129 isolated CFEs were performed over 7 years for claudication (36%), rest pain (16%), tissue loss (29%), or acute on chronic limb ischemia (21%). Mean age was 75 ± 9 years, and 68% of patients were male. Comorbidities were prevalent, including coronary artery disease (54%), diabetes (41%), chronic pulmonary disease (25%), and congestive heart failure (22%). The majority of CFEs were performed under general anesthesia (98%) with patch angioplasty using bovine pericardium (73% vs 27% Dacron). Twenty-two patients (17%) sustained local complications following the procedure; their occurrence was significantly associated with obesity (P = .002) but no technical or operative factors. Nineteen patients (15%) sustained serious systemic complications; their occurrence was significantly associated with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (P < .001), and a high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class (P = .002). By 6 months, 17 patients (13%) had died. Being on dialysis, presenting with chronic limb-threatening ischemia, and being in a high ASA class at the time of operation were all associated with 6-month mortality; a high ASA class at the time of operation was independently predictive of mortality (odds ratio, 3.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-9.24; P = .044).

CONCLUSIONS

Although commonly performed, CFE is not a benign vascular procedure. Disease presentation, anesthetic risk, and expected longevity play an important role in clinical outcomes. Evolving endovascular approaches to the common femoral artery could serve to reduce morbidity and mortality in the future.

Analysis of interventional treatment options of the common femoral artery - a retrospective single center experience

Background: Due to the rapid development of treatment techniques of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment is nowadays predominantly interventional. An exception are lesions of the common femoral artery (CFA), which should be treated surgically according to vascular guidelines. However, recent evidence has shown that endovascular techniques, e.g. stenting, have comparable clinical outcomes while causing fewer complications. The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the therapeutic success of endovascular therapy of CFA lesions in a single center, all - comers registry. Patients and methods: All patients who were treated for a CFA lesion at the Department of Internal Medicine I of the University Hospital Jena in the period from 01/2017 to 12/2020 were included. Treatment success was determined by evaluating the ankle-brachial-index (ABI) pre- and post-interventional as well as after follow-up (FU), measuring walking distance (WD) and by target revascularization rate (TLR) and primary patency rate (PPR). Results: The analysis included 109 patients with a mean age of 73.4 years, with 67% (73) of those being men. 72 patients received interventional treatment, whereas 33 were treated surgically and 4 conservatively. Resting ABI in the overall cohort showed an increase from 0.5 to 0.7 post intervention (p=<0.05; mean FU-time: 6.5 months). In the interventional cohort ABI increases from 0.6 to 0.8 (p=<0.05; mean FU-time: 5,8 months) at FU and from 0.3 to 0.6 (p=<0.05; mean FU-time: 8,8 month) in the surgically treated group. The WD improved in the whole collective from 116.5 meter (m) to 152.5 m (p=<0.05). The TLR showed no significant difference with 8.1% after interventional treatment and 6.1% after vascular surgery in the present analysis (p=0.72) as well as PPR with 89.8% after EVT and 90.9% after surgical approach (p=0.87). The intra-/postinterventional complication rate was 5.5% in the intervention group, compared to postoperative complication rate of 15.2% in the surgically treated group. Conclusions: The present analysis demonstrates that even in a real-world, all-comers collective, interventional therapy for CFA lesions was safe and equally effective as the surgically treated patient cohort. Continuing to generate registry data is important to eventually initiate a paradigm shift.

Using Isolated Femoral Bifurcation Endarterectomy or Combined with Bypass Surgery for Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients suffering from chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and tissue loss treated with primary isolated femoral bifurcation endarterectomy (FBE) or with FBE combined with bypass surgery. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was performed in a tertiary university-based care centre. Between January 2008 and December 2019, a prospectively collected database of patients suffering from CLTI and tissue loss and undergoing either primary FBE (group A) or FBE in combination with bypass surgery (group B) was analysed. Study endpoints were ulcer healing, primary and secondary patency rate, limb salvage, and survival. Results: In total, FBE was performed in 73 patients and FBE with bypass in 60 patients. Between both groups, there were no significant differences regarding demographic data or the Global Limb Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) grade III and IV of femoropopliteal lesions. After 3 years, ulcer healing could be achieved in 72% of FBE and in 75% of FBE with bypass patients. The primary patency rate was 95% and 91% for FBE and 83% and 80% for FBE with bypass after one and three years, respectively. The 3-year limb-salvage rate was 78% for FBE and 84% for FBE with bypass. The secondary patency rate after one and three years was 99% and 97% for FBE and 93% and 88% for FBE with bypass. Conclusions: FBE and FBE with bypass are equally effective for ulcer healing in cases of combined CFA and superficial femoral artery lesions. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding primary and secondary patency rates, limb salvage rates and ulcer healing. Isolated FBE could be an alternative strategy in patients with higher operative risk.

Open Surgical Thrombendarterectomy Versus Endovascular Treatment in Occlusive Processes of the Femoral Artery Bifurcation

BACKGROUND

The standard treatment of occlusive processes of the femoral artery bifurcation is thrombendarterectomy (TEA). Endovascular techniques (ENDO) have recently been put forward as a potential alternative. It is unclear so far which modality yields better outcomes with respect to long-term revascularization and periprocedural complications. Method: Multiple databases were systematically searched for pertinent publications (publication date November 1965 to February 2022). From the included studies, individual patient data (IPD) were requested. Aggregate data (AD) were used when no IPD were available. Primary and secondary patency (PP and SP), perioperative morbidity/mortality, and further endpoints were determined separately for TEA and ENDO and compared with each other. AD for each modality were summarized in meta-analyses. Time-to-event analyses and comparative meta-analyses with PP as primary endpoint were carried out using IPD. Results: 42 studies (3 IPD, 39 AD; 27 TEA, 12 ENDO, 3 comparisons of TEA versus ENDO) were included. In the combined meta-analysis of IPD and AD, PP for TEA was 97% at 6 months and 92% at 12 months, while PP for ENDO was 84% at 6 months and 85% at 12 months. The differences were not statistically significant. The comparative meta-analysis regarding PP did not reveal any significant differences either (TEA versus ENDO: HR 0.30 [0.06; 1.48]). SP at 12 months was 97% (TEA) and 93% (ENDO). The periprocedural morbidity was 16% for TEA and 9% for ENDO. Conclusion: In light of a higher PP, even without formal statistical proof of superiority, TEA can still be considered the standard treatment for occlusive processes of the femoral artery bifurcation.

METHODS

Multiple databases were systematically searched for pertinent publications (publication date November 1965 to February 2022). From the included studies, individual patient data (IPD) were requested. Aggregate data (AD) were used when no IPD were available. Primary and secondary patency (PP and SP), perioperative morbidity/mortality, and further endpoints were determined separately for TEA and ENDO and compared with each other. AD for each modality were summarized in meta-analyses. Time-to-event analyses and comparative meta-analyses with PP as primary endpoint were carried out using IPD.

RESULTS

42 studies (3 IPD, 39 AD; 27 TEA, 12 ENDO, 3 comparisons of TEA versus ENDO) were included. In the combined meta-analysis of IPD and AD, PP for TEA was 97% at 6 months and 92% at 12 months, while PP for ENDO was 84% at 6 months and 85% at 12 months. The differences were not statistically significant. The comparative meta-analysis regarding PP did not reveal any significant differences either (TEA versus ENDO: HR 0.30 [0.06; 1.48]). SP at 12 months was 97% (TEA) and 93% (ENDO). The periprocedural morbidity was 16% for TEA and 9% for ENDO.

CONCLUSION

In light of a higher PP, even without formal statistical proof of superiority, TEA can still be considered the standard treatment for occlusive processes of the femoral artery bifurcation.

Comparative Analysis of Endovascular Intervention and Endarterectomy in Patients with Femoral Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Peripheral artery disease is a prevalent illness affecting more than 200 million people worldwide. A commonly used technique to manage the condition has been open endarterectomy. However, in recent times, a shift towards minimally invasive techniques has resulted in endovascular intervention as a popular alternative. This review aims to assess the safety and efficacy of endovascular intervention when compared with endarterectomy. A systematic review of the articles published in PubMed, Ovid, Embase, and Scopus within the last 10 years was conducted. The PRISMA guidelines were adhered to, and the Newcastle-Ottawa and NICE quality assessment scales were used. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed using the RStudio software (RStudio Team (2021). RStudio: Integrated Development Environment for R, PBC, Boston, MA, USA). Twenty-six studies were included, with a total of 7126 patients (endovascular, 2496; endarterectomy, 4630). Technical success was greater for endarterectomy than endovascular intervention with an odds ratio of 0.38; 95% CI [0.27–0.54]. In terms of safety as well endovascular intervention was better than endarterectomy with an odds ratio of 0.22; 95% CI [0.15 to 0.31] for wound infection. Endovascular intervention is a safe and effective procedure; however, it cannot be considered superior to endarterectomy.

Short and long-term outcome after common femoral artery hybrid procedure in patients with intermittent claudication and chronic limb threatening ischemia

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the differences between the outcomes of patients with intermittent claudication (IC) and chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) who underwent a hybrid procedure comprising common femoral artery endarterectomy and endovascular therapy. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective single-center study of all patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) who underwent the hybrid procedure between March 2007 and August 2018. The primary endpoint was primary patency after 7 years. The secondary endpoints were primary-assisted patency, secondary patency, limb salvage, and survival. Results: During the follow-up period, 427 limbs in 409 patients were treated. A total of 267 and 160 patients presented with clinical signs of IC and CLTI, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 1.4% (IC: 0% vs. CLTI: 3.8%, p=0.001). The overall 30-day major amputation rate was 1.6% (IC: 0% vs. CLTI: 4.4, p=0.001). The rates of primary and secondary patency after 7 years were 63% and 94%, respectively, in the IC group and 57% and 88%, respectively, in the CLTI group; the difference was not significant. Limb salvage (94% vs. 82%, p=0.000) and survival (58% vs. 29%, p=0.000) were significantly higher in the IC group. In a multivariate analysis, CLTI was the only risk factor for major amputation. CLTI and single vessel run-off were risk factors for death. Statin therapy was a protective factor. Conclusions: The hybrid procedure provides excellent results as a treatment option for multilevel lesions in patients with PAD. However, patients with CLTI had a shorter long-term survival and lower limb salvage rate.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of endovascular versus open repair for common femoral artery atherosclerosis treatment

BACKGROUND

Encouraging recent reports on endovascular treatment of common femoral artery (CFA) atherosclerotic disease has rendered the question regarding the place of this technique evermore pertinent and legitimizes the performance of randomized trials. The present comprehensive review focused on the early and midterm outcomes to help assess the benefit/risk balance of endovascular vs open repair for CFA treatment.

METHODS

Embase and Medline searches were conducted according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analyses) standards to identify studies from 2000 to 2018 reporting on endovascular repair (ER), open surgery (OS), and comparisons of both techniques for CFA atherosclerosis treatment. The outcomes measured were 30-day mortality, morbidity, reintervention rates, midterm patency, late reintervention, and restenosis rates.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies were eligible: 14 OS (1920 patients), 12 ER (1900 patients), and 2 comparative randomized trials (197 patients). The meta-analysis of the comparative studies revealed no differences in 30-day mortality or reintervention rates but improved 30-day morbidity after ER. At 1 year, the primary patency rates did not differ between ER and OS, nor did the late reintervention rate. In the noncomparative studies, with a mean follow-up period of 23.8 months for ER and 66 months for OS, the restenosis rate was 14.4% and 4.7%, respectively. The reported stent fracture rate was 3.6%. In the ER cohort, the overall primary patency at 1, 2, and 3 years was 81.9%, 77.8%, and 75.1%, respectively. For the OS cohort, the overall primary patency rate at 1, 2, and 3 years was 93.4%, 91.4%, and 90.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite expectations, our analysis of the reported data suggests that the perioperative mortality is not in favor of ER; however, the perioperative morbidity showed an advantage for ER compared with OS. Also, although comparable in the first year, the long-term primary patency rate was much greater after OS. At present, the place of ER for CFA treatment still requires further definition. Additional clarification of the indications and more research are both required to determine the optimal endovascular technology and femoral bifurcation reconstruction with stenting.

Direct bare metal needle puncture and balloon angioplasty in calcified plaques of the common femoral artery guided by angiography ("BAMBOO SPEAR")

BACKGROUND

Surgical endarterectomy for common femoral artery (CFA) disease is still considered the gold standard for treatment. Development of various techniques and devices has improved the clinical results of endovascular therapy (EVT) for CFA. However, severe conditions remain, especially for occlusive lesions owing to calcified plaque. We developed a useful technique for passing a lesion by directly penetrating the calcified plaque of the CFA using a bare metal needle and then passing through a balloon or dilating it. We named this technique "direct bare metal needle puncture and balloon angioplasty in calcified plaques of the common femoral artery guided by angiography" or "BAMBOO SPEAR."

MAIN TEXT

This report describes our technique for crossing a lesion by directly penetrating the calcified plaque of the CFA using a needle. We report a case of a 73-year-old male with hemodialysis who presented with cyanosis and ischemic rest pain of both lower limbs. Control angiography showed total occlusion of the left CFA with a calcified plaque. We advanced a 21-G metal needle that was slightly curved into the blood vessel from where the lumen of the distal CFA was located. The needle was advanced into the center of the calcified plaque, while observing from multiple directions with a fluoroscopic guide. We succeeded in advancing the needle into the lumen of the distal external iliac artery. After guidewire crossing, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showed that guidewire was able to completely pass through the center of the calcified plaque. We could dilate the lesion by scoring balloon and drug-coated balloon. The final angiography showed sufficient results. We named this technique "direct BAre Metal needle puncture and BallOOn angioplaSty in calcified PlaquEs of the common femoral ARtery guided by angiography" (BAMBOO SPEAR).

CONCLUSIONS

The BAMBOO SPEAR technique may be considered a useful option in EVT for occlusive CFA with calcified plaques.

Stent-Assisted Angioplasty (SAA) at the Level of the Common Femoral Artery Bifurcation: Long-Term Outcomes

Background

The objective of this retrospective single-center study was to report the initial and the long-term outcome after stent-assisted angioplasty of occlusive disease at the common femoral artery.

Materials and Methods

Between 1995 and 2015, 94 limbs in 79 consecutive patients (54 men; mean age 70 ± 8.6 years) underwent angioplasty with self-expanding stent implantation in 94 common femoral arteries. Critical limb ischemia was present in 15 limbs (16%); the other patients had claudication.

Results

Technical success was 99%. Complications occurred in 5/94 interventions (5.3%): puncture site hematomas (2), arteriovenous fistula (1), cholesterol embolism (1), and dissection of the access site artery (1). The intervention was outpatient-based in 98%. Median follow-up was 53 months. Ankle–brachial index (ABI) rose from 0.71 ± 0.17 to 1.0 ± 0.2 (p < .001) immediately after the intervention and was 1.03 ± 0.2 after 1 year and 0.96 ± 0.21 at the last follow-up visit (p < .001 compared to pre-interventional ABI). During follow-up, restenosis was found in 23/94 limbs (25%); 15 limbs were treated by angioplasty, 3 by surgery, and 5 conservatively. One limb was amputated below the knee 6 months after stent-assisted angioplasty (SAA). Death rate during follow-up was 35/79 patients (44%).

Conclusions

SAA of the CFA resulted in high immediate success and a low complication rate. Restenosis rate was moderate, and target lesions could easily be retreated by angioplasty. The main hazard was not restenosis, but death during follow-up.

Systematic Review and Proportional Meta-Analysis of Endarterectomy and Endovascular Therapy with Routine or Selective Stenting for Common Femoral Artery Atherosclerotic Disease

Introduction

Common femoral endarterectomy (CFE) has been the therapy of choice for common femoral artery atherosclerotic disease (CFA-ASD). In the past, there was inhibition to treat CFA-ASD endovascularly with stents due to fear of stent fracture and compromise of future vascular access site. However, recent advances and new evidence suggest that CFA may no longer be a ‘stent-forbidden zone'. In the light of new evidence, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine the use of endovascular treatment for CFA-ASD and compare it with common femoral endarterectomy in the present era.

Methods

Using certain MeSH terms we searched multiple databases for studies done on endovascular and surgical treatment of CFA-ASD in the last two decades. Inclusion criteria were randomized control trials, observational, prospective, or retrospective studies evaluating an endovascular treatment or CFE for CFA-ASD. For comparison, studies were grouped based on the treatment strategy used for CFA-ASD: endovascular treatment with selective stenting (EVT-SS), endovascular treatment with routine stenting (EVT-RS), or common femoral endarterectomy (CFE). Primary patency (PP), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and complications were the outcomes studied. We did proportional meta-analysis using a random-effect model due to heterogeneity among the included studies. If confidence intervals of two results do not overlap, then statistical significance is determined.

Results

Twenty-eight studies met inclusion criteria (7 for EVT-RS, 8 for EVT-SS, and 13 for CFE). Total limbs involved were 2914 (306 in EVT-RS, 678 in EVT-SS, and 1930 in CFE). The pooled PP at 1 year was 84% (95% CI 75-92%) for EVT-RS, 78% (95% CI 69-85%) for EVT-SS, and 93% (95% CI 90-96%) for CFE. PP at maximum follow-up in EVT-RS was 83.7% (95% CI 74-91%) and in CFE group was 88.3% (95% CI 81-94%). The pooled target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate at one year was 8% (95% CI 4-13%) for EVT-RS, 19% (95% CI 14-23%) for EVT-SS, and 4.5% (95% CI 1-9%) for CFE. The pooled rate of local complications for EVT-RS was 5% (95% CI 2-10%), for EVT-SS was 7% (95% CI 3 to 12%), and CFE was 22% (95% CI 14-32%). Mortality at maximum follow-up in CFE group was 23.1% (95% CI 14-33%) and EVT-RS was 5.3% (95% CI 1-11%).

Conclusion

EVT-RS has comparable one-year PP and TLR as CFE. CFE showed an advantage over EVT-SS for one-year PP. The complication rate is lower in EVT RS and EVT SS compared to CFE. At maximum follow-up, CFE and EVT-RS have similar PP but CFE has a higher mortality. These findings support EVT-RS as a management alternative for CFA-ASD.

Clinical Assessment of Peripheral Arterial Disease in the Office: What Do the Guidelines Say?

Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the manifestation of atherosclerotic disease within the lower extremities. The presentation of PAD is diverse ranging from asymptomatic disease to claudication or to debilitating rest pain, nonhealing ulcers, and gangrene. PAD is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Proper diagnosis and management of PAD is important so as to maintain quality of life and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and adverse limb events such as amputation. This document provides a comprehensive outpatient approach to the clinical assessment of PAD that includes risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up options.

Systematic review of endovascular intervention and surgery for common femoral artery atherosclerotic disease

Background

Endovascular intervention has emerged as a potential alternative to open surgery in treating common femoral artery (CFA) atherosclerotic disease. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the safety and efficacy of both techniques.

Methods

Thirteen electronic databases from 1980 to 3 January 2018 were searched. Study quality was assessed using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Interventional Procedure Programme quality assessment tool. Safety and efficacy outcome measures were analysed.

Results

Thirty-one studies reporting 813 endovascular procedures and 3835 endarterectomies were included. Only two small RCTs have been reported. The methodological quality of available studies was generally low and follow-up short. Safety endpoint assessment revealed a similar risk of wound haematoma for endovascular intervention and endarterectomy (5·5 (95 per cent c.i. 0·2 to 17·2) versus 3·9 (1·7 to 6·9) per cent respectively), a lower risk of wound infection with endovascular procedures (0 versus 5·9 (3·4 to 9·0) per cent) and a lower risk of wound lymph leakage (0 versus 5·7 (3·3 to 8·6) per cent). Efficacy endpoint assessment at 1 year identified that endovascular intervention had a lower primary patency rate than endarterectomy (78·8 (73·3 to 83·8) versus 96·0 (92·2 to 98·6) per cent respectively), a higher revascularization rate (16·0 (6·1 to 29·4) versus 5·8 (1·0 to 14·2) per cent) and a similar amputation rate (2·7 (1·2 to 4·8) versus 1·9 (0·7 to 3·8) per cent).

Conclusion

Endovascular intervention of CFA disease appears to reduce the risk of wound complications but is associated with a lower patency rate and increased rates of subsequent revascularization procedures. Standardization of the endovascular technique and quantification of the proportions of patients suitable for either technique are required.

Common femoral artery endarterectomy in the age of endovascular therapy

OBJECTIVES

Common femoral artery endarterectomy (CFE) is the standard treatment for common femoral artery occlusive disease. We aim to assess the medium term outcomes of CFE with or without further concomitant procedures.

DESIGN

A retrospective observational study.

METHODS

All patients who underwent either isolated CFE (ICFE), CFE with angioplasty for occlusive arterial disease (CFEA) or concomitant CFE with endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (CFEE) were included. Patient demographics follow up, clinical improvement, types of CFE closure, patency rates, and survival-free amputation were noted.

RESULTS

From 2002 to 2015, 1512 patients were referred with a diagnosis of critical limb ischemia. Of those, 1134 required revascularization. Sixty-one patients underwent 66 CFE. Ten limbs underwent an ICFE, 35 had CFEA, and 21 underwent CFEE. Demographics were comparable in all groups. Twenty-seven were closed primarily, while 39 required patch closure (12 venous, 8 Dacron, 19 biological). Technical success was 100% in ICFEs, 94% in CFEA, and 100% for CFEE ( p = 0.274). Immediate clinical success was 100% in both CFE and CFEE, but was 85.7% in CFEA ( p = 0.035). Immediate hemodynamic success was similar in all three groups ( p = 0.73). Sustained hemodynamic success was 30% in ICFE, 54.3% in CFEA, and 23.8% in CFEE ( p = 0.056). At two years, the primary patency was 90% in ICFE, 74.3% in CFEA, and 100% in CFEE ( p = 0.049). Primary-assisted patency was 90% in ICFE, 82.9% in CFEA, and 100% in CFEE ( p = 0.17). Secondary patency was 90% in ICFE, 94.3% in CFEA, and 100% in CFEE ( p = 0.409). Re-intervention was required in 26.9% of primary closures, versus 12.8% with patch closures ( p = 0.279). Amputation-free survival was 100% in ICFE, 80% in CFEA, and 100% in CFEE ( p = 0.056).

CONCLUSION

CFE is a reliable and dependable procedure, even in the absence of good distal runoff.

Contemporary critical limb ischemia: Asian multidisciplinary consensus statement on the collaboration between endovascular therapy and wound care

The burden of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes in Asia is projected to increase. Asia also has the highest incidence and prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the world. Therefore, most Asian patients with PAD might have diabetic PAD or ESRD-related PAD. Given these pandemic conditions, critical limb ischemia (CLI) with diabetes or ESRD, the most advanced and challenging subset of PAD, is an emerging public health issue in Asian countries. Given that diabetic and ESRD-related CLI have complex pathophysiology that involve arterial insufficiency, bacterial infection, neuropathy, and foot deformity, a coordinated approach that involves endovascular therapy and wound care is vital. Recently, there is increasing interaction among cardiologists, vascular surgeons, radiologists, orthopedic surgeons, and plastic surgeons beyond specialty and country boundaries in Asia. This article is intended to share practical Asian multidisciplinary consensus statement on the collaboration between endovascular therapy and wound care for CLI.

Remote Iliac Artery Endarterectomy: A Case Series and Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term results of remote iliac artery endarterectomy (RIAE) in 2 vascular referral centers and review existing literature.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 109 consecutive patients (mean age 64.2±10.7 years; 72 men) who underwent 113 RIAE procedures for lower limb ischemia from January 2004 to August 2015 at 2 vascular centers. The majority of limbs (82, 72.6%) had TASC II D lesions (31 TASC II C). Primary outcome measures were primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency. A comprehensive literature search was performed in the PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify all English-language studies published after 1990 reporting the results of RIAE.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 95 (84.1%) of the 113 procedures. The complication rate was 13.7%, and 30-day mortality was 0%. At 5 years, primary patency was 78.2%, assisted primary patency was 83.4%, and secondary patency was 86.7%. Hemodynamic success was obtained in 91.7% of patients, and clinical improvement was observed in 95.2%. Freedom from major amputation was 94.7% at 5 years. The systematic review comprised 6 studies including 419 RIAEs, and pooled data showed results similar to the current study.

CONCLUSION

For external iliac artery occlusions extending into the common femoral artery, RIAE appears to be a valuable hybrid treatment option. It combines acceptable morbidity and low mortality with good long-term patency. It has some advantages over an open surgical iliofemoral bypass or complete endovascular revascularization and could be the best treatment option in selected cases.

Directional Atherectomy With Antirestenotic Therapy vs Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty Alone for Common Femoral Artery Atherosclerotic Disease

Purpose: To report an experience using directional atherectomy (DA) with antirestenotic therapy (DAART) in the form of drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty vs DCB angioplasty alone in common femoral artery (CFA) occlusive lesions. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 47 consecutive patients (mean age 71 years; 26 men) treated between October 2011 and July 2016 using either DCB angioplasty alone (n=26) or DAART (n=21) for CFA lesions. The majority of patients had lifestyle-limiting claudication (14 DCB and 15 DAART). Mean lesion length (39±14 mm DCB and 34±16 mm DAART) and vessel calcification (17/26 DCB and 11/21 DAART) were comparable between the groups. There were 4 chronic total occlusions, all in the DAART group. The main outcome measure was primary patency. Key secondary outcomes were technical success, secondary patency, and freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR). Results: Technical success rates were 89% following DCB angioplasty and 95% for DAART (p=0.41). The 88% 12-month primary patency and 89% freedom from TLR for DAART were higher than the 68% and 75% estimates following DCB angioplasty alone, but neither difference was statistically significant. However, the secondary patency estimate at 12 months was significantly higher in the DAART group (100% vs 81% for DCB, p=0.03). Bailout stenting (1 DCB vs 1 DAART), vessel perforation (1 DCB vs 0 DAART), access site complications (4 DCB vs 3 DAART), and distal embolization (0 DCB vs 1 DAART) were comparable, whereas DCB angioplasty had more non-flow-limiting dissections (8 vs 1 for DAART, p=0.02). Conclusion: Preparation of the atherosclerotic CFA with directional atherectomy was not associated with statistically significantly higher primary patency or freedom from TLR compared to DCB angioplasty alone at 12 months. Nonetheless, both modalities had promising outcomes in a primarily surgically treated vascular territory.

2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines

Since 1980, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) have translated scientific evidence into clinical practice guidelines with recommendations to improve cardiovascular health. These guidelines, based on systematic methods to evaluate and classify evidence, provide a cornerstone of quality cardiovascular care.

In response to reports from the Institute of Medicine1 ,2 and a mandate to evaluate new knowledge and maintain relevance at the point of care, the ACC/AHA Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines (Task Force) modified its methodology.3 –5 The relationships among guidelines, data standards, appropriate use criteria, and performance measures are addressed elsewhere.5

2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines

Since 1980, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) have translated scientific evidence into clinical practice guidelines with recommendations to improve cardiovascular health. These guidelines, based on systematic methods to evaluate and classify evidence, provide a cornerstone of quality cardiovascular care.

In response to reports from the Institute of Medicine1 ,2 and a mandate to evaluate new knowledge and maintain relevance at the point of care, the ACC/AHA Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines (Task Force) modified its methodology.3 –5 The relationships among guidelines, data standards, appropriate use criteria, and performance measures are addressed elsewhere.5

Reconstruction of "unreconstructable" critical limb ischemia with hybrid techniques

This case describes the surgical repair of critical limb ischemia in a patient with diffuse multilevel peripheral arterial disease. It demonstrates the value of patient-specific approaches that employ hybrid endovascular and open surgical techniques to reconstruct blood flow in patients who are not ideal candidates for traditional revascularization. We detail a technique that combines endarterectomy, femoropopliteal bypass, angioplasty, and stenting. This case suggests that innovative hybrid approaches can be used to achieve limb salvage in some patients with multilevel peripheral vascular disease who would otherwise undergo primary amputation.

Clinical Outcome of Surgical Endarterectomy for Common Femoral Artery Occlusive Disease

BACKGROUND

Although common femoral artery endarterectomy (CFE) is the standard treatment for occlusive disease of the common femoral artery (CFA), several studies have noted encouraging results for endovascular therapy in this anatomical area.

METHODS AND RESULTS

 A retrospective multi-center study of 118 consecutive limbs from 111 symptomatic patients undergoing CFE between April 1998 and December 2014 was performed. Seventy-five CFE were performed on limbs for intermittent claudication and 43 CFE were performed for critical limb ischemia (CLI). The prevalence of perioperative complications was higher in patients with CLI than in the claudication patients. The technical success rate was 99% in all cases. The 1- and 5-year primary patency rates were 100% and 100% for claudication and 95% and 95% for CLI, respectively. The assisted-primary patency rates were 100% at both time points in both groups. Freedom from major amputation at 1 and 5 years was 100% and 100% in the claudication patients and 93% and 82% in the CLI patients, respectively. The 1- and 5-year overall survival rates were 97% and 89% in the claudication patients and 69% and 33% in the CLI patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CFE is a safe, effective and durable procedure for occlusive disease of the CFA. This procedure should remain the standard treatment for this anatomical region.