Long term outcomes of diabetic haemodialysis patients with critical limb ischemia and foot ulcer

Cell Therapy of Severe Ischemia in People with Diabetic Foot Ulcers-Do We Have Enough Evidence?

This current opinion article critically evaluates the efficacy of autologous cell therapy (ACT) for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), especially in people with diabetes who are not candidates for standard revascularization. This treatment approach has been used in 'no-option' CLTI in the last two decades and more than 1700 patients have received ACT worldwide. Here we analyze the level of published evidence of ACT as well as our experience with this treatment method. Many studies have shown that ACT is safe and an effective method for patients with the most severe lower limb ischemia. However, some trials did not show any benefit of ACT, and there is some heterogeneity in the types of injected cells, route of administration and assessed endpoints. Nevertheless, we believe that ACT plays an important role in a comprehensive treatment of patients with diabetic foot and severe ischemia.

Hospital Readmission in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Prevalence, Causes, and Outcomes

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the rate of readmission in patients affected by diabetes and foot ulcers (DFUs), and causes and outcomes of patients requiring a new hospitalization. The current study is a retrospective observational study including patients who have required hospitalization since January 2019 to September 2022 due to a DFU. Once patients were discharged, they were regularly followed as outpatients. Within 6 months of follow-up, the rate of hospital readmission for a diabetic foot problem was recorded. According to the readmission or not, patients were divided into 2 groups, readmitted and not readmitted patients, respectively. Hence, all patients were followed for 6 months more and outcomes of the 2 groups were analyzed and compared. Overall, 310 patients were included. The mean age was 68  ±  12 years, the majority of patients reported type 2 diabetes (>90%), and the mean diabetes duration was approximately 20 years. Sixty-eight (21.9%) patients were readmitted. The main reason for hospital readmission was the presence of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in the contralateral limb (6.1%), the recurrence of CLI in the previous treated limb (4.5%), and the onset of new infected DFU in the contralateral foot (4.5%). Readmitted patients reported lower rate of healing (51.5% vs 89.2%, P < .0001) and higher rate of major amputation (10.3% vs 4.5%, P  =  .2) in comparison to not readmitted patients. Critical limb ischemia resulted in the only independent predictor of hospital readmission. Hospital readmission is a frequent issue among patients with DFUs, and readmitted patients showed a lower chance of wound healing. Critical limb ischemia resulted in the main cause of new hospitalization.

Analysis of the Influence of Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients with Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis

This study analyzed the influence of diabetic nephropathy on the healing prognosis after conservative surgery in diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO). A retrospective observational study was carried out between January 2021 and December 2022 and involved 278 outpatients with a diagnosis of DFO at a specialized diabetic foot unit, including 74 (26.62%) patients with DN (group 2) and 204 (73.38%) patients without DN (group 1). There were 266 (95.70%) ulcers on the forefoot, 8 (2.90%) on the midfoot, and 4 (1.45%) on the hindfoot (p = 0.992). The healing rates were 85.1% (n = 63) for group 2 and 81.3% (n = 165) for group 1 (p = 0.457). When exploring the influence of DN on the risk of delayed ulcer healing, the results did not show a significant effect [12 (6; 28) weeks among patients with DN vs. 12 (6; 21) weeks among patients without DN; p = 0.576]. No significant differences were observed in complications, with one (2.59%) death occurring in group 1 (p = 0.296) and three minor amputations being performed in both groups [two (5.13%) amputations in group 1 vs. one amputation (9.09%) in group 2; p = 0.217]. Bone cultures were performed for a total of 190 patients (133 in group 1 and 57 in group 2). Of these, 176 positive bone cultures were isolated: 71 positive bone cultures (57.7%) were monomicrobial cultures in group 1, with 30 (56.6%) in group 2. There were 52 (42.3%) that had at least two microorganisms in group 1, and 23 (43.4%) in group 2 (p = 0.890). The most frequently prescribed oral antibiotic was amoxicillin/clavulanate (43.89%), followed by levofloxacin (28.4%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (14.7%). This study shows that DN does not have a significant influence on the healing prognosis of patients with DFO after conservative surgery.

Validation of the Fast-Track Model: A Simple Tool to Assess the Severity of Diabetic Foot Ulcers

This study aimed to validate the association between the grades of severity of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) identified by the fast-tack model and specific outcomes. Three hundred and sixty-seven patients with new DFUs who were referred to a tertiary level diabetic foot service serving Rome, Italy, were included. The fast-track model identifies three levels of DFUs' severity: uncomplicated DFUs, including superficial wounds, not-infected wounds, and not-ischemic wounds; complicated DFUs, including ischemic wounds, infected wounds, and deep ulcers involving the muscles, tendons, or bones, and any kind of ulcers in patients on dialysis and/or with heart failure; and severely complicated DFUs, including abscesses, wet gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, fever, or clinical signs of sepsis. Healing, minor and major amputation, hospitalization, and survival after 24 weeks of follow-up were considered. Among the included patients, 35 (9.6%) had uncomplicated DFUs, 210 (57.2%) had complicated DFUs, and 122 (33.2%) had severely complicated DFUs. The outcomes for patients with uncomplicated, complicated, and severely complicated DFUs were as follows, respectively: healing, 97.1%, 86.2%, and 69.8%; minor amputation, 2.9%, 20%, and 66.4%; major amputation, 0%, 2.9%, and 16.4%; hospitalization, 14.3%, 55.7%, and 89.3%; survival, 100%, 96.7%, and 89.3%. DFU severity was an independent predictor of healing, amputation, hospitalization, and survival. The current study shows an association between the grade of severity of DFUs identified by the fast-track model and the considered outcomes. The fast-track model may be a useful tool for assessing the severity and prognosis of DFUs.

The Neuro-Ischaemic Charcot Foot: Prevalence, Characteristics and Severity of Peripheral Arterial Disease in Acute Charcot Neuro-Arthropathy

The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of patients affected by Charcot neuro-arthropathy (CN) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) compared to CN without PAD. Consecutive patients presenting with an acute CN were included. The sample size was calculated by the power analysis by adopting the two-tailed tests of the null hypothesis with alfa = 0.05 and a value of beta = 0.10 as the second type error and, therefore, a test power equal to 90%. Seventy-six patients were identified. Twenty-four patients (31.6%) had neuro-ischaemic CN; they were older (66 vs. 57yrs), p = 0.03, had a longer diabetes duration (19 vs. 14yrs), p < 0.001, and more cases of end-stage-renal-disease (12.5 vs. 0%), p = 0.04 and ischaemic heart disease (58.3 vs. 15.4%), p < 0.0001 than neuropathic CN. Fifty patients (65.8%) had concomitant foot ulcers, 62.5% and 67.3% (p = 0.3), respectively, in CN with and without PAD. Neuro-ischaemic CN show arterial lesions of 2.9 vessels, and PAD was located predominantly below-the-knee (75%) but not below-the-ankle (16.7%). The outcomes for neuro-ischaemic and neuropathic CN patients were, respectively: wound healing (86.7 vs. 94.3%), p = 0.08; minor amputation (25 vs. 7.7%), p = 0.003; major amputation (8.3 vs. 1.9%), p = 0.001; hospitalization (75 vs. 23%), p = 0.0001. The study showed a frequent association between CN and PAD, leading to a neuro-ischaemic Charcot foot type. Neuro-ischaemic CN leaded to an increased risk of minor and major amputation and hospitalization, compared to neuropathic CN.

The value of administering intravenous antibiotics during haemodialysis in the treatment of diabetic foot infections

OBJECTIVE

People with diabetes who are on haemodialysis (HD) are at a high risk of diabetic foot infections (DFI) and related complications. We explored the value of treating DFI with intravenous (IV) antibiotics during HD.

METHOD

This was an observational study of consecutively treated patients with DFIs with IV antibiotics during HD. Data collected included baseline characteristics, IV antibiotics used, details of multidisciplinary interventions and DFI treatment outcome.

RESULTS

A cohort of 11 patients, mean (±standard deviation) age 62.4±12.7 years, had 15 episodes of treatment with IV antibiotics during HD. Of the patients, six (54.5%) were male and nine (81.8%) had type 2 diabetes. The estimated mean glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 11.4±3.9ml/minute. All patients had infected foot ulceration, soft tissue infection, six (54.5%) patients had osteomyelitis, and two (18.2%) had wet gangrene. The commonest IV antibiotic used was vancomycin (10/15 episodes, 66.7%). Other IV antibiotics used were daptomycin and meropenem. In three episodes, oral ciprofloxacin was used with IV antibiotics. The mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 9.2±4.9 weeks. Of the episodes, 11 (73.3%) were treated successfully with IV antibiotics alone and two (13.3%) episodes required minor surgical debridement/amputation. Some 10 (90.9%) members of the cohort had peripheral arterial disease and of those, five (50%) underwent angioplasty during IV antibiotic treatment.

CONCLUSION

HD provides a good opportunity for treatment with IV antibiotics in DFI. This mode of administration of IV antibiotics, along with multidisciplinary intervention, is associated with ulcer healing and resolution of infection in over three-quarters of patients with DFI.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Effectiveness of fast-track pathway for diabetic foot ulcerations

AIM

To investigate the effectiveness of fast-track pathway (FTP) in the management of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) after 2 years of implementation.

METHODS

The study group was composed of patients who referred to a specialized DF centre due to DFUs. Those were divided in two groups: early referral (ER) and late referral (LR) patients. According to FTP, ER were considered patients who referred after 2 weeks in the case of uncomplicated non-healing ulcers (superficial, not infected, not ischemic), within 4 days in the case of complicated ulcers (ischemic, deep, mild infection) and within 24 h in the case of severely complicated ulcers (abscess, wet gangrene, fever). Healing, healing time, minor and major amputation, hospitalization, and survival were evaluated. The follow-up was 6 months.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients were recruited. The mean age was 70 ± 13 years, 62.5% were male, 91% were affected by type 2 diabetes with a mean duration of 18 ± 11 years. Within the group, 79.5% had ER while 20.5% had LR. ER patients showed increased rates of healing (89.9 vs. 41.5%, p = 0.001), reduced healing time (10 vs. 16 weeks, p = 0.0002), lower rates of minor (17.6 vs. 75.6%, p < 0.0001) and major amputation (0.6 vs. 36.6%, p < 0.0001), hospitalization (47.1 vs. 82.9%, p = 0.001), and mortality (4.4 vs. 19.5%, p = 0.02) in comparison to LR. At multivariate analysis, ER was an independent predictor of healing, while LR was an independent predictor for minor and major amputation and hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

After the FTP implementation, less cases of LR were reported in comparison to ER. ER was an independent predictor of positive outcomes such as healing, healing time, limb salvage, hospitalization, and survival.

Foot Revascularization Avoids Major Amputation in Persons with Diabetes and Ischaemic Foot Ulcers

The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of foot revascularization in persons with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and below-the-ankle (BTA) arterial disease. Consecutive patients referred for a new active ischaemic DFU requiring lower limb revascularization were considered. Among those, only patients with a BTA arterial disease were included. Revascularization procedures were retrospectively analysed: in the case of successful foot revascularization (recanalization of pedal artery, or plantar arteries or both) or not, patients were respectively divided in two groups, successful foot perfusion (SFP) and failed foot perfusion (FFP). Healing, minor and major amputation at 12 months of follow-up were evaluated and compared. Eighty patients (80) were included. The mean age was 70.5 ± 10.9 years, 55 (68.7%) were male, 72 (90%) were affected by type 2 diabetes with a mean duration of 22.7 ± 11.3 years. Overall 45 (56.2%) patients healed, 47 (58.7%) had minor amputation and 13 (16.2%) major amputation. Outcomes for SFP and FFP were respectively: healing (89.3 vs. 9.1%, p < 0.0001), minor amputation (44.7 vs. 78.8%, p = 0.0001), major amputation (2.1 vs. 36.3%, p < 0.0001). Failed foot revascularization resulted an independent predictor of non-healing, minor amputation, and major amputation. Foot revascularization is mandatory to achieve healing and avoid major amputation in persons with ischaemic DFU and BTA arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial disease in patients with renal-diabetic foot ulcers

OBJECTIVE

To describe the angiographic characteristics of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in persons with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) on dialysis treatment.

METHOD

The study is a retrospective analysis of patients with DFUs and PAD who had been referred to our diabetic foot clinic. All patients had been managed by a pre-set limb salvage protocol including revascularisation of the affected limb. Arterial lesions (stenosis between 50-99% and occlusions) were retrospectively evaluated through angiogram analysis. According to the presence or not of dialysis, patients were divided into two patient groups: renal-diabetic foot (RDF) and diabetic foot (DF). Distribution of PAD and immediate revascularisation outcome (technical revascularisation outcome) for RDF and DF were separately reported and compared.

RESULTS

The sample included 239 patients: mean age was 71.8 years; 72.4% were male; 87.4% had type 2 diabetes; mean diabetes duration was 21.4 years; and the mean HbA1c was 63±22mmol/mol. The RDF group compared with the DF group reported higher numbers of vessels affected (n=5±1.6 versus 3.9±1.5, respectively, p<0.0001), greater involvement of the superficial femoral artery (90.2% versus 75.8%, respectively, p=0.003), the tibial-peroneal trunk (53.7% versus 25.5%, respectively, p=0.01), the anterior tibial artery (93.9% versus 80.9%, respectively, p=0.03) and below-the-ankle (BTA) arteries (70.7% versus 35.7%, respectively, p=0.0001). The RDF group showed a higher rate of revascularisation failure in comparison to DF patients (43.9% versus 15.3%, respectively, p<0.0001). BTA arterial disease (odds ratio 9.5; 95% Confidence Interval: 3.5-25.4; p=0.0001) resulted as the only independent predictor of revascularisation failure.

CONCLUSION

In this study, RDF patients showed a widespread distribution of arterial lesions with a higher involvement of foot arteries in comparison with DF patients. BTA arterial disease was found to be an independent predictor of revascularisation failure.

Risk Factors for Major Amputation for Midfoot Ulcers in Hospitalized Patients With Diabetes: A Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for major amputation in persons hospitalized with diabetic foot ulcers involving the midfoot.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

Between January 2003 and May 2019, a total of 1931 patients with diabetes were admitted to the diabetic wound center for the management of foot ulcers. Among the admitted patients, 169 patients with midfoot ulcers were included in this study. One hundred fifty-four patients (91%) healed without major amputation, while 15 patients (9%) healed post-major amputation.

METHODS

Data related to 88 potential risk factors including demographics, ulcer condition, vascularity, bioburden, neurology, and serology were collected from patients in these 2 groups for comparison. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze risk factors for major amputation.

RESULTS

Among the 88 potential risk factors, 15 showed statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Using univariate analysis of 88 potential risk factors, 8 showed statistically significant differences. Using stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, 3 of the 8 risk factors remained statistically significant. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for deep ulcers invading bone, cardiac disorders, and Charcot foot were 26.718, 18.739, and 16.997, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The risk factors for major amputation in patients hospitalized with diabetic midfoot ulcers included deep ulcers invading the bone, cardiac disorders, and Charcot foot.

High Incidence of Adverse Outcomes in Haemodialysis Patients with Diabetes with or without Diabetic Foot Syndrome: A 5-Year Observational Study in Lleida, Spain

Background: We evaluated whether, in subjects receiving haemodialysis (HD), the presence of diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) was associated with increased mortality compared with subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM) without DFS and with non-diabetic subjects. Methods: Retrospective, observational study in 220 subjects followed for six years. We calculated and compared the frequency and 5-year cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, CV events, major adverse CV events (MACE), and new foot ulcer (FU) or amputation. We also examined prognostic factors of all-cause and CV mortality based on baseline characteristics. Results: DM patients had a 1.98 times higher probability of all-cause mortality than those without DM (p = 0.001) and 2.42 times higher likelihood of CV mortality and new FU or amputation (p = 0.002 and p = 0.008, respectively). In the DM cohort, only the risk of a new FU or amputation was 2.69 times higher among those with previous DFS (p = 0.021). In patients with DM, older age was the only predictor of all-cause and CV mortality (p = 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively). Conclusions: Although all-cause and CV mortality were increased on HD subjects with DM, the presence of DFS did not modify the excess risk. Additional studies are warranted to further explore the impact of DFS in subjects with DM undergoing HD.

Outcomes after Emergency Admission with a Diabetic Foot Attack Indicate a High Rate of Healing and Limb Salvage But Increased Mortality: 18-Month Follow-up Study

AIM

The diabetic foot attack (DFA) is perhaps the most devastating form of diabetic foot infection, presenting with rapidly progressive skin and tissue necrosis, threatening both limb and life. However, clinical outcome data in this specific group of patients are not available.

METHODS

Analysis of 106 consecutive patients who underwent emergency hospitalisation for DFA (TEXAS Grade 3B or 3D and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Class 4 criteria). Outcomes evaluated were: 1) Healing 2) major amputation 3) death 4) not healed. The first outcome reached in one of these four categories over the follow-up period (18.4±3.6 months) was considered. We also estimated amputation free survival.

RESULTS

Overall, 57.5% (n=61) healed, 5.6% (n=6) underwent major amputation, 23.5% (n=25) died without healing and 13.2% (n=14) were alive without healing. Predictive factors associated with outcomes were: Healing (age<60, p=0.0017; no Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) p= 0.002; not on dialysis p=0.006); major amputation (CRP>100 mg/L, p=0.001; gram+ve organisms, p=0.0013; dialysis, p= 0.001), and for death (age>60, p= 0.0001; gram+ve organisms p=0.004; presence of PAD, p=0.0032; CRP, p=0.034). The major amputation free survival was 71% during the first 12 months from admission, however it had reduced to 55.4% by the end of the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

In a unique population of hospitalised individuals with DFA, we report excellent healing and limb salvage rates using a dedicated protocol in a multidisciplinary setting. An additional novel finding was the concerning observation that such an admission was associated with high 18-month mortality, almost all of which was after discharge from hospital.

Early outcomes of patients with chronic kidney disease after revascularization for critical limb ischemia

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to report early outcomes of patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) after revascularization for critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

METHODS

Perioperative data of patients from the CRITISCH (critical limb ischemia) Registry, who also had NDD-CKD (stages 3 and 4), were compared to their counterparts with normal renal function (NRF) or mild renal insufficiency (stages 1 and 2). Patient characteristics and type of first-line treatment were assessed. Amputation-free survival was the primary composite endpoint. Secondary endpoints included major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE) and hemodynamic failure of revascularization. Multivariable logistic regression determined risk factors for the endpoints.

RESULTS

424 patients with NDD-CKD were identified. Endovascular revascularization (ER) was performed in 251 patients (59.2%). Eighty-six patients (20.3%) underwent bypass surgery (BS) and 29 patients (6.8%) femoral artery patchplasty (FAP). Conservative treatment (CT) was offered to 46 patients (10.9%); 12 patients (2.8%) underwent primary major amputation (PMA). Logistic regression analysis showed an increased early risk for amputation/death (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.09-3.40), death (OR=5.53, 95% CI: 1.92-15.90) and hemodynamic failure of the revascularization (OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.19-2.72) compared to patients with NRF. Patients with NDD-CKD also seem to carry a higher risk for MACCE (OR=1.82, 95% CI: 0.99-3.36). NDD-CKD was not a risk factor for limb loss alone (OR=1.05, 95% CI: 0.49-2.22).

CONCLUSIONS

NDD-CKD was an independent risk factor for early postoperative mortality, morbidity and reduced patency, but not for limb loss. Robust follow-up is necessary to monitor for such events, as well as to prevent readmission.

Sinusoidal changes in transcutaneous oxygen pressure, suggesting Cheyne-Stokes respiration, are frequent and of poor prognosis among patients with suspected critical limb ischemia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcpO₂) is used in patients with suspected critical limb ischemia (CLI). Sinusoidal changes (SC~) in TcpO₂ are found in patients with Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR). We aimed to determine the characteristics of TcpO₂ changes at rest in patients with suspected CLI, define the objective criteria for SC ~ TcpO₂ patterns (SC+), and estimate the prevalence of SC+ in our population and its impact on the outcome.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 300 chest TcpO₂ recordings performed in a 16-month period. We determined the presence/absence of SC ~ TcpO₂ by visual analysis. We determined the acceptable error in the regularity of peaks of the cross-correlation with ROC curve analysis, among patients with typical SC ~ TcpO₂ and non-sinusoidal patterns. Then, we defined SC + as a minimum of five peaks, a standard deviation of TcpO₂ >1.25 mmHg, an error in regularity of peaks of the cross-correlation < 10%, and a cycle length between 30 and 100 s. In patients included until October 2019, we compared the outcome as a function of SC + or SC- with Cox models.

RESULTS

Mathematical detection of SC + found that 43 patients (14.3%) fulfilled all four defined criteria at the chest level, but only 23 did so at the limb level. In the follow-up of 207 patients, the presence of Sc ~ TcpO₂ at the chest significantly increased the risk of mortality: hazard ratio: 2.69 [95%CI: 1.37-5.30]; p < 0.005.

CONCLUSIONS

SC ~ TcpO₂ is frequent, and is associated with a poor outcome in patients with suspected CLI.

Characteristics and Outcome for Persons with Diabetic Foot Ulcer and No-Option Critical Limb Ischemia

The study aimed to evaluate clinical and vascular characteristics, as well as outcomes, for diabetic persons with foot ulceration and no-option critical limb ischemia (CLI). The study group included a sample of patients admitted to our diabetic foot unit because of a new diabetic foot ulcer and CLI. All subjects were managed using a limb salvage protocol which includes lower-limb revascularization. According to whether or not the revascularization procedure was a success, patients were respectively divided into two groups: successfully treated CLI patients (ST-CLI) and no-option CLI patients (NO-CLI). Failed revascularization was considered in the case of technical recanalization failure of occluded vessels (inability to overcome the obstruction) and/or absence of arterial flow to the foot. Limb salvage, major amputation, and death after 1 year of follow-up were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Overall, 239 patients were included, 74.9% belonging to ST-CLI and 25.1% to NO-CLI. NO-CLI patients reported more cases of ischemic heart disease (80 vs. 62.1, p = 0.008), heart failure (63.3 vs. 32.4%, p < 0.0001), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (60 vs. 25.7%) than ST-CLI patients. In addition, more vessels were affected in the NO-CLI group (5.2 ± 1.6 vs. 4 ± 1.5, p < 0.0001), and there was more involvement of tibio-peroneal trunk (50 vs. 30.2%, p = 0.006), anterior tibial (93.3 vs. 82.7, p = 0.03), posterior tibial (93.3 vs. 73.7%, p = 0.0005), peroneal (70 vs. 48%, p = 0.002), and below-the-ankle arteries (73.3 vs. 39.1%, p < 0.0001) than ST-CLI. The 1 year outcomes for the whole population were 69.9% limb salvage, 10.9% major amputation, and 19.2% death. The outcomes for NO-CLI and ST-CLI were, respectively, as follows: limb salvage (13.8 vs. 73.4%, p < 0.0001), amputation (30 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.0001), and mortality (50 vs. 8.9%, p < 0.0001). NO-CLI patients showed a more severe pattern of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with distal arterial lesions and worse outcomes than ST-CLI.

Limb Salvage in Diabetic Patients With Ischemic Heel Ulcers

The purpose of this study is to investigate the outcomes of diabetic individuals with ischemic heel ulcers. The study group was composed of a consecutive sample of persons with diabetic ischemic foot ulcers managed by a preset multidisciplinary limb salvage protocol, including revascularization through endovascular technique. The outcome measures were healing, major amputation (above the ankle), and death at 1-year of follow-up. The outcomes between patients with heel ulcers (HUs) and without (NHUs) were compared. A total of 254 patients were recruited. There were 50/254 (19.7%) HUs and 204/254 (79.3%) NHUs. Overall, 190/254 (74.8%) patients healed. The rate of healing for HUs and NHUs was 30/50 (60%) and 160/204 (78.4%); P = .03, respectively. Major amputation occurred in 24/254 (9.4%) patients. The rates of major amputation for HUs and NHUs were 10/50 (20%) and 14/204 (6.9%; P = .002), respectively; 40/254 (15.7%) patients died, unhealed. The rates of mortality for HUs and NHUs were 10/50 (20%) and 30/204 (14.7%; P = .07), respectively. In HUs patients, absence of infection [95% CI = 3.1 (1.6-5.5); P = .002] and superficial ulcers [95% CI = 4.4 (2.2-9.3); P = .0001] were independent predictors of healing, whereas revascularization failure [95% CI = 8.1 (1.5.0-19.4); P = .0001], involvement of the plantar arch [95% CI = 6.3 (2.0-15.4); P = .0001], and dialysis [95% CI = 2.2 (1.3-4.5); P = .006] were independent predictors of major amputation. A multidisciplinary approach achieves good rate of limb salvage in people with diabetic ischemic heel ulcers.

Prevalence, Clinical Aspects and Outcomes in a Large Cohort of Persons with Diabetic Foot Disease: Comparison between Neuropathic and Ischemic Ulcers

This study aims to evaluate clinical and ulcer characteristics as well the outcomes of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). The study group was composed of DFUs patients managed by a limb salvage protocol according to guidance. Clinical and ulcers findings were described, and 1-year outcomes defined as limb salvage, healing, healing time, major amputation and death were compared between neuropathic and ischemic DFUs. One thousand, one hundred and ninety-eight subjects were included; 386 (32.2%) neuropathic and 812 (67.8%) ischemic DFUs. Neuropathic patients were younger (69.5 ± 11.5 vs. 74.5 ± 11.5, p < 0.0001) and reported less cases of nephropathy (22.8 vs. 39.6%, p < 0.0001), ischemic heart disease (22.8 vs. 36.9, p = 0.0004), cerebrovascular disease (8.3 vs. 17.2%, p = 0.002), heart failure (10.1 vs. 24.7%, p = 0.0002) and end-stage-renal-disease (ESRD) (5.4 vs. 27%, p = 0.0001) than ischemic patients; they also showed less cases of large (>5 cm2) (10.3 vs. 22.9%, p = 0.0007), infected (40.4 vs. 55.7%, p = 0.0005) and deep to the bone (22.3 vs. 39.2, p = 0.0002) ulcers, as well less multiple ulcerations (21.8 vs. 32.8%, p = 0.006) than patients with ischemic DFUs. The outcomes for neuropathic and ischemic DFUs were limb salvage (98.4 vs. 82.3%, p < 0.0001), healing (97.3 vs. 79.6%, p < 0.0001), healing time (34.9 vs. 35.6 weeks, p = 0.8), major amputation (0.5 vs. 6.6%, p = 0.0001), death (1.1 vs. 11%, p < 0.0001) respectively. Revascularization failure and ESRD were independent predictors of major amputation, while heart failure and number of co-morbidities (³5) were independent predictors of death. Ischemic DFUs patients showed more severe clinical and ulcers features as well worse outcomes than neuropathic DFUs patients.

Long-term diabetic complications as predictors of foot ulcers healing failure: A retrospective study in a tertiary-care center

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors involved in healing failure in a population of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) after one year of follow-up.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-four patients were treated for DFU in a tertiary-care center and had a regular follow-up for one year. Laboratory measurements and clinical assessments, including long-term diabetes complications and risk factors for DFU, were collected at baseline and patients were divided in two groups according to the outcome [Healed group (H, n = 91), and Not Healed group (NH, n = 53)].

RESULTS

Compared with H group, NH group had significant higher levels of urinary albumin excretion [H vs NH, median (IQR), 23.5 (10.1, 41.1) vs 26.4 (20.8, 141.1), P = 0.032] and significantly increased prevalence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) (22% vs 40%, P = 0.038) and Charcot Arthropathy (3% vs 16%, P = 0.025). No differences among the other long-term complications of diabetes, risk factors for DFU or clinical features were found. The multiple logistic regression analysis identified DKD and Charcot Arthropathy as negative predictors of healing.

CONCLUSIONS

In a population of people with type 2 diabetes with DFU treated in a tertiary-care center, DKD and Charcot Arthropathy were related to poor healing within one year-follow-up.

Transmetatarsal amputation: A 12 year retrospective case review of outcomes

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot pathology has rapidly increased, presenting a vast economic burden with severe implications for patients. Establishing effective limb salvage techniques such as transmetatarsal amputation is essential to offer viable alternatives to major limb amputation in severe foot infection, where outcomes are variable and mortality rates high.

METHODS

A retrospective review of outcomes was performed on patients who underwent TMA at a single United Kingdom hospital between 2005-2017. Healing rate and time to healing, mortality, duration of hospital admission and incidence of revision surgery was evaluated. Forty-seven patients had 54 TMA's by the Podiatric Surgery team. Data was assessed for Mean (SD) and Median. The impact of co-morbidities was considered and the perioperative and surgical management reviewed to identify techniques which may improve outcomes.

RESULTS

A 78% healing rate was achieved. Six patients (11%) died before healing. The aremaining 11% did not heal and resulted in major limb amputation. No further surgery to the same foot was required after the TMA healed. A Median healing time of 83 days was identified and the Median duration of hospital admission was 24 days. Adjunctive wound care products may to have a positive impact on these factors. Five-year mortality was 43%, and demonstrated an association with renal and/or vascular pathology. All patients had diabetes, with many also having Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). Almost all TMA's failing to heal had PVD. The presence and severity of renal disease also seemed to have a negative impact on wound healing.

CONCLUSION

Positive healing and mortality rates with low need for revision surgery support TMA to be an effective alternative to major limb amputation. Adjunctive agents may have a positive impact on wound healing and length of hospital admission. Skilled surgical technique and Multidisciplinary work is essential for positive long-term outcomes and cost-effective care.

Physician experts in diabetes are natural team leaders for managing diabetic patients with foot complications. A position statement from the Italian diabetic foot study group

Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is a complex disease. The best outcomes are reported with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach, where each member works collaboratively according to his/her expertise. However, which health provider should act as the team leader (TL) has not been determined. The TL should be familiar with the management of diabetes, related complications and comorbidities. He/she should be able to diagnose and manage foot infections, including prompt surgical treatment of local lesions, such as abscesses or phlegmons, in an emergent way in the first meeting with the patient. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports, Italy is one of countries with a low amputation rate in diabetic patients. Many factors might have contributed to this result, including 1)the special attention directed to diabetes by the public health system, which has defined diabetes as a "protected disease", and accordingly, offers diabetic patients, at no charge, the best specialist care, including specific devices, and 2)the presence of a network of diabetic foot (DF) clinics managed by diabetologists with medical and surgical expertise. The health care providers all share a "patient centred model" of care, for which they use their internal medicine background and skills in podiatric surgery to manage acute or chronic needs in a timely manner. Therefore, according to Italian experiences, which are fully reported in this document, we believe that only a skilled diabetologist/endocrinologist should act as a TL. Courses and university master's degree programmes focused on DF should guarantee specific training for physicians to become a TL.

Incidence of hospitalization and mortality in patients with diabetic foot regardless of amputation: a population study

AIMS

The aim of our study was to estimate the overall rate of first hospitalizations for diabetic foot (DF) regardless of the outcome in amputations, as well as the mortality rate with their determinants in the period 2012-2016 in Piedmont Region in Italy.

METHODS

The study included all the subjects registered in the Regional Diabetes Registry and alive as at January 1, 2012. DF cases were identified by record linkage with the regional hospital discharge database. Incident cases of diabetic foot were followed up for mortality.

RESULTS

The 5-year rates were 1762, 324, and 343 × 100,000 patients for first hospitalization without amputations, with major amputations, and with minor amputations, respectively. Patients not undergoing amputations were more than 70% of the cohort. Patients with the more severe stages of diabetes and those with low education were at higher risk of each type of hospitalization. The risk of death during a mean follow-up of 2.5 years was about 16, 18, and 30% among patients without amputations, with major amputations, and with minor amputations, respectively. Males, insulin-treated patients, those affected with severe diabetes complications, particularly on dialysis, and those with lower levels of education were at higher risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The heavier burden of DF on hospitalizations is due to cases without amputation, a condition that is seldom considered in the diabetes literature. The severity of diabetes, preexisting complications, and low educational levels are associated with both first hospitalization and subsequent survival at any level of severity of DF.

Use of Nevelia Dermal-Epidermal Regenerative Template in the Management of Ischemic Diabetic Foot Postsurgical Wounds

The purpose of this cross-sectional study is evaluate the effectiveness of a dermal-epidermal substitute (DES) composed of 3-dimensional porous matrix of type 1, purified, stabilized, bovin-origin collagen (Nevelia, SYMATESE, Chaponost, France) without a subsequent skin graft in the treatment ischemic postsurgical diabetic foot ulcers. This study group was composed of a sample of consecutive diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia and postsurgical wounds. All patients received a preset limb salvage protocol including the application of the DES, but none received a skin graft. Patients were closely followed until wound healing or different outcome. The outcome measures were healing, nonhealing, major amputation, and death evaluated at 1 and 2 years of follow-up. Forty-one patients were included. The average postsurgical wound area was 69.6 ± 50 cm². Twenty-one patients (51%) healed; 10 patients (24%) did not heal after 1 year of follow-up; however, all of them achieved a mean ulcer size reduction >50%; 7 patients (17%) were amputees; 3 patients (7.3%) died. In a later follow-up (2 years), wounds in 8 additional patients healed. Successful revascularization was an independent predictor of healing (hazard ratio = 5.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.5-14-9; P = .0001), the postsurgical ulcer size (>50 cm²) was an independent predictor of nonhealing (hazard ratio = 6.2, 95% CI = 2.1-38.4; P = .0001) while recurrence of critical limb ischemia was an independent predictor of major amputation (odds ratio = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.1-4.5; P = .002). The DES composed of type 1 bovin-origin collagen is useful in the treatment of large postsurgical diabetic foot ulcers, even when the skin graft is not a suitable therapeutic option.

Risk factors for major amputation in hospitalized diabetic patients with forefoot ulcers

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for major amputation in patients hospitalized with diabetic forefoot ulcers.

METHODS

Between January 2003 and December 2018, a total of 1792 diabetic patients were admitted to the diabetic wound center for the management of diabetic foot ulcers. Among the patients, 1032 diabetic patients with forefoot ulcers were included in this study. Nine hundred and eighty-three patients (95%) healed without major amputations while 49 patients (5%) healed after major amputations. Data related to 88 potential risk factors including demographics, ulcer condition, vascularity, bioburden, neurology, and serology were collected from the patients in these two groups for comparison.

RESULTS

Among the 88 potential risk factors, 34 showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. In the univariate analysis of 88 risk factors, 33 showed statistically significant differences. In stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, four of the 33 risk factors remained statistically significant. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for gender, magnesium levels, platelet levels, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were 8.216, 2.480, 1.009, and 0.570, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Risk factors for major amputation in patients hospitalized with diabetic forefoot ulcers include male gender, increased magnesium, increased platelet levels, and low levels of HbA1c.

Alteraciones de la piel del paciente con enfermedad renal crónica avanzada. Una revisión sistemática

Objetivo: Conocer las principales alteraciones de la piel, así como su prevalencia, en los pacientes con Enfermedad Renal Crónica Avanzada. Material y Método: Se ha realizado una revisión sistemática a través de las bases de datos de PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus y Google Académico. Se incluyeron artículos científicos escritos en inglés y español. Se analizaron los artículos que trataban sobre las alteraciones en la piel en el paciente con Enfermedad Renal Crónica Avanzada y/o en tratamiento con diálisis. Resultados: Se han incluido 32 artículos publicados entre el año 2008 y 2018: 7 revisiones sistemáticas, 3 de tipo experimental y 22 de tipo observacional. Las alteraciones cutáneas aparecen en la mayoría de los pacientes en prediálisis y en tratamiento con diálisis, en mayor o menor grado. La mayoría de alteraciones de la piel descritas han sido, xerosis, prurito e hiperpigmentación. La mayor complicación relacionada con la alteración de la piel ha sido la calcifilaxis; siendo las variables más influyentes en la aparición de estas lesiones, el tipo de tratamiento dialítico, las enfermedades asociadas y falta de adherencia a la dieta prescrita. Conclusiones: Las alteraciones en la piel están presentes en la mayoría de los pacientes con Enfermedad Renal Crónica Avanzada y en diálisis, predominando la xerosis como la alteración más frecuente, siguiéndole el prurito y la hiperpigmentación. La complicación más grave relacionada con las alteraciones de la piel es la calcifilaxis, encontrándose asociada a altos niveles de fósforo sérico. No existen protocolos estandarizados para el manejo de las alteraciones cutáneas en estos pacientes.

Impact of severe diabetic kidney disease on the clinical outcome of autologous cell therapy in people with diabetes and critical limb ischaemia

AIM

To assess the impact of autologous cell therapy on critical limb ischaemia in people with diabetes and diabetic kidney disease.

METHODS

A total of 59 people with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) and critical limb ischaemia, persisting after standard revascularization, were treated with cell therapy in our foot clinic over 7 years; this group comprised 17 people with and 42 without severe diabetic kidney disease. The control group had the same inclusion criteria, but was treated conservatively and comprised 21 people with and 23 without severe diabetic kidney disease. Severe diabetic kidney disease was defined as chronic kidney disease stages 4-5 (GFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m²). Death and amputation-free survival were assessed during the 18-month follow-up; changes in transcutaneous oxygen pressure were evaluated at 6 and 12 months after cell therapy.

RESULTS

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure increased significantly in both groups receiving cell therapy compared to baseline (both P<0.01); no significant change in either of the control groups was observed. The cell therapy severe diabetic kidney disease group had a significantly longer amputation-free survival time compared to the severe diabetic kidney disease control group (hazard ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.14-0.91; P=0.042); there was no difference in the non-severe diabetic kidney disease groups. The severe diabetic kidney disease control group had a tendency to have higher mortality (hazard ratio 2.82, 95% CI 0.81-9.80; P=0.062) than the non-severe diabetic kidney disease control group, but there was no difference between the severe diabetic kidney disease and non-severe diabetic kidney disease cell therapy groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that autologous cell therapy in people with severe diabetic kidney disease significantly improved critical limb ischaemia and lengthened amputation-free survival in comparison with conservative treatment; however, the treatment did not influence overall survival.

Below-the-ankle arterial disease severely impairs the outcomes of diabetic patients with ischemic foot ulcers

AIM

To evaluate the impact of below-the-ankle (BTA) arterial disease in people with ischemic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

METHODS

Patients with ischemic DFUs treated by a pre-set limb salvage protocol including peripheral revascularization were included. They were divided in two groups according to the involvement of BTA arteries (BTA+) or not (BTA-). Not healing, minor amputation, major amputation and mortality have been evaluated as primary outcome. Revascularization failure has been evaluated as secondary outcome.

RESULTS

The study group was composed of 272 patients, 120 (44.1%) belonging to BTA+ group and 152 (55.9%) to BTA-. After 1 year of follow-up the outcomes for BTA+ and BTA- were respectively: not healing (40.8 vs 17.8%, p < 0.0001), minor amputation (80.8 vs 20.4%, p < 0.0001), major amputation (18.3 vs 6.6%, p = 0.002), mortality (16.7% vs 10.5%, p = 0.001). The rate of revascularization failure was respectively 38.3 vs 11.2%, p < 0.0001. At the multivariate analysis BTA arterial disease resulted an independent predictor of not healing [OR 3.5 (CI 95% 2.3-6.1) p = 0.0001], minor amputation [OR 3.1 (1.5-5.9) p < 0.0001] and revascularization failure [OR 3.5 (1.9-6.3) p = 0.0001]. BTA+ patients with successful BTA revascularization showed lower rate of not healing (37.8 vs 89.1%) p < 0.0001, minor amputation (74.3 vs 91.3%) p = 0.002 and major amputation (8.1 vs 34.8%) p = 0.0003 in comparison to patients with unsuccessful BTA revascularization.

CONCLUSION

BTA arterial disease severely impairs the outcomes of diabetics with ischemic foot ulcers. BTA revascularization reduces the rate of not healing, minor and major amputation.

Risk Factors for Major Amputation on Hindfoot Ulcers in Hospitalized Diabetic Patients

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for major amputation in patients hospitalized with diabetic foot ulcers involving the hindfoot. Approach: Between January 2003 and October 2017, a total of 1,657 diabetic patients were admitted to the diabetic wound center of Korea University Guro Hospital, for the management of foot ulcers. Among the admitted patients, 117 diabetic patients with hindfoot ulcers were included in this study. One hundred and four patients (89%) healed without major amputation, while 13 patients (11%) healed with major amputation. Data related to 88 potential risk factors, including demographics, ulcer condition, vascularity, bioburden, neurology, and serology, were collected from patients in these two groups for comparison. Results: Among the 88 potential risk factors, 15 showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. In univariate analysis of 88 potential risk factors, nine showed statistically significant differences. In stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, three of the nine risk factors remained statistically significant. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for pulmonary disorders, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) levels were 38.525, 1.047, and 0.976, respectively. Innovation: Compared with forefoot and midfoot ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers involving the hindfoot are at increased risk of major amputation because infection may spread proximal to the ankle. However, large-scale cohort studies that specifically discuss the outcomes and characteristics of diabetic hindfoot ulcers are not widely available. Conclusion: Risk factors for major amputation in patients hospitalized with diabetic hindfoot ulcers include pulmonary disorders, high levels of ESR, and decreased TIBC levels.

Recurrence of Critical Limb Ischemia After Endovascular Intervention in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Objective: To establish the rate of clinical recurrence of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in diabetic patients with ischemic foot ulcers (DFUs) treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Approach: The study group was composed of 304 patients with ischemic DFUs treated by PTA. We evaluated the rate of clinical recurrence of CLI requiring a second PTA (repeated PTA [rePTA]), the factors related to CLI relapse, and the outcomes of rePTA patients. The follow-up was 12.5 ± 6.6 months. Results: Seventy-four of 304 patients (24.3%) needed rePTA. The mean time to rePTA was 3.5 ± 0.64 months. rePTA group in comparison with no rePTA group had lower rate of healing (28.5% vs. 71.9% p = 0.0001), higher rate of ulcer recurrence (20% vs. 10.3% p = 0.03), major amputation (24.3% vs. 4.3% p = 0.0005), and death (33.3% vs. 7.9% p = 0.002). Glycated hemoglobin, type A1C (HbA1c; 2.2 [1.9-2.7] p = 0.02) and dialysis (1.5 [1.4-3.6] p = 0.006) were independently associated to clinical recurrence of CLI after PTA. Innovation: To identify the outcomes of patients with clinical recurrence of CLI and the clinical factors involved to reduce the rate of restenosis after endovascular treatment and improve the rate of limb salvage. Conclusions: Clinical recurrence of CLI is associated with a high rate of nonhealing ulcer recurrence, major amputation, and death. Dialysis and impaired glycemic control were independent predictors of CLI relapse after endovascular treatment.

Critical limb ischemia: current challenges and future prospects

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is considered the most severe pattern of peripheral artery disease. It is defined by the presence of chronic ischemic rest pain, ulceration or gangrene attributable to the occlusion of peripheral arterial vessels. It is associated with a high risk of major amputation, cardiovascular events and death. In this review, we presented a complete overview about physiopathology, diagnosis and holistic management of CLI. Revascularization is the first-line treatment, but several challenging cases are not treatable by conventional techniques. Unconventional techniques for the treatment of complex below-the-knee arterial disease are described. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art on gene and cell therapy for the treatment of no-option patients is reported.

Impact of heart failure and dialysis in the prognosis of diabetic patients with ischemic foot ulcers

Aim

To establish the role of heart failure (HF) and dialysis (D) in the prognosis of diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia and foot ulcers (FUs).

Methods

Consecutive diabetic patients with ischemic FUs who referred to our Diabetic Foot Centre were prospectively included. All patients underwent a preset limb salvage protocol including peripheral revascularization. According to the presence of HF and D, they were divided in four groups: group 1 without HF and without D defined as ischemic foot (IF); group 2 with HF and without D defined as heart ischemic foot (H-IF); group 3 without HF and with D defined as renal ischemic foot (R-IF); group 4 with HF and with dialysis defined as heart-renal foot (HR-IF). Survival with limb salvage, survival with major amputation and death were reported after 1 year of follow-up.

Results

136 patient have been included: 66 with IF, 26 with H-IF, 24 with R-IF and 20 with HR-IF. The mean age was 68,9 ± 9,7 years, the diabetes duration 20,7 ± 11,6 years, the mean HbA1c 62,7 ± 22,3 mmol/mol. 103/136 (75,7%) survived with limb salvage, 10/136 (7,4%) survived with major amputation, 23/136 (16,9%) died. The outcomes for group IF patients, H-IF, R-IF and HR-IF were respectively: survival with limb salvage (92,4%, 61,5%, 79,2% and 35%), survival with major amputation (6,1%, 7,7%, 8,3% and 10%), death (1,5%, 30,8%, 12,5% and 55%) χ = 0.0001. Heart failure was an independent predictor of death.

Discussion

The presence of heart failure and dialysis in diabetic patients with ischemic foot ulcers was associated to high risk of amputation and mortality.

Endovascular Distal Plantar Vein Arterialization in Dialysis Patients With No-Option Critical Limb Ischemia and Posterior Tibial Artery Occlusion: A Technique for Limb Salvage in a Challenging Patient Subset

Purpose: To detail a percutaneous technique for distal plantar venous arterialization in diabetic, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with no-option critical limb ischemia (CLI). Technique: After failure of standard intraluminal recanalization attempts, a subintimal approach through the posterior tibial artery (PTA) is begun using a 0.014-inch, 190- or 300-cm-long guidewire supported by a 2-×20-mm, low-profile balloon catheter positioned a short distance behind the narrow “U-shaped” loop in the guidewire. Typically, heavy calcification in the distal tortuous segment of the PTA prevents reentry to the arterial true lumen; however, an entry in the distal lateral or medial plantar vein from a subintimal channel in the plantar artery can be intentionally pursued as a bailout technique, pointing the tip of the guidewire opposite to the arterial wall calcifications. Venous access is confirmed by contrast injection through the balloon catheter. Once the guidewire is advanced in the distal lateral or medial plantar vein and a plantar arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has been created, the AV anastomosis and the occluded PTA segment are dilated with 0.014-inch balloon catheters. The technique has been attempted in 9 consecutive diabetic, ESRD patients (mean age 69 years; 5 men) with no-option CLI; an AVF was created between the PTA and plantar vein in 7 patients. The mean TcPO2 at 1 month was 30±17 mm Hg (vs 7.3±2.2 at baseline). Six ulcers healed over an average of 21±4 weeks. Three of the 9 patients had below-knee amputations. Conclusion: Although further investigations are required, distal plantar venous arterialization may represent a promising technique to improve recanalization rates and limb salvage in diabetic ESRD patients with extremely calcified PTA occlusions.

Predictors of first ischemic lower limb ulcer in dialysis patients: an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Lower limb ischemia affects the quality of life, physical activity and life expectancy of dialysis patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with ischemic foot ulcers considering clinical, laboratory and therapeutic domains.

METHODS

This observational cohort study was based on data from the Nephrology and Dialysis Department database of Alessandro Manzoni Hospital, Lecco (Italy). All of the incident patients who started dialysis between 1 January 1999 and 29 February 2012 were enrolled, excluding temporary guests, patients with acute renal failure and patients with previous limb ischemia or amputation. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified the predictors in each domain, which were matched in the final model. A time-dependent approach was used to take into account the evolution of some of the prognostic covariates.

RESULTS

Of the 526 incident dialysis patients, 120 developed a lower limb ischemic lesion after a median of 13 months. The incidence of new ulcers was constant during the study period (6 per 100 person-years), but higher in the diabetics with a relative rate of 4.5. The variables significantly related to an increased risk of lower limb ulcers were age, male gender, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, treatment with proton pump inhibitors, iron, anticoagulants and calcium-based binders, and blood levels of phosphorus, triglycerides and C-reactive protein.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of lower limb ulcers was highest during the early dialysis follow-up and was associated with, in addition to diabetes, modifiable laboratory and therapeutic predictors such as anticoagulants, proton pump inhibitors, calcium-containing binders, calcimimetics and iron.

Procalcitonin as a Biomarker for Predicting Amputation Level in Lower Extremity Infections

Inflammatory markers are essential tools in the decision-making process for lower extremity infections. When coupled with objective findings, clinicians can more accurately diagnose and treat these entities. Typically, markers such as the white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein are used to initially assess these patients or monitor the progression of medical or surgical therapy. Procalcitonin is a newer inflammatory marker that is specific for an infectious process. Originally, procalcitonin was used to monitor antibiotic therapy and sepsis for patients in the intensive care setting, but it has now been expanded to other facets of medicine. The utility of procalcitonin has been described for diagnosing infection or osteomyelitis in diabetic foot ulcers. However, limited research has compared inflammatory marker levels and the level of amputation. A retrospective inpatient medical record review was performed of 156 consecutive patient occurrences during 25 months in which surgical intervention was required for a lower extremity infection and an initial procalcitonin level had been obtained. This initial procalcitonin value was then compared with the level of amputation at the final surgical intervention. A highly statistically significant difference was found when comparing those who underwent a below-the-knee or above-the-knee amputation (median procalcitonin 1.72 ng/mL) and those who did not (median procalcitonin 0.105 ng/mL; p < .001). Therefore, patients with higher initial procalcitonin values were more likely to undergo below-the-knee or above-the-knee amputation or require aggressive surgical intervention. Thus, the procalcitonin level can provide valuable initial information to the clinician.

Zinc Pyrithione Improves the Antibacterial Activity of Silver Sulfadiazine Ointment

Topical antimicrobial ointments ostensibly mitigate bacterial wound disease and reliance on systemic antibiotics. Yet studies have called into question the therapeutic benefits of several traditional topical antibacterials, accentuating the need for improved next-generation antimicrobial ointments. Yet the development of such agents consisting of a new chemical entity is a time-consuming and expensive proposition. Considering that drug combinations are a mainstay therapeutic strategy for the treatment of other therapeutic indications, one alternative approach is to improve the performance of conventional antimicrobial ointments by the addition of a well-characterized and FDA-approved agent. Here we report data that indicate that the antimicrobial properties of silver sulfadiazine ointments can be significantly improved by the addition of the antifungal zinc pyrithione, suggesting that such combinations may provide an improved therapeutic option for the topical treatment of wound infections.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus are commonly associated with biofilm-associated wound infections that are recalcitrant to conventional antibiotics. As an initial means to identify agents that may have a greater propensity to improve clearance of wound-associated bacterial pathogens, we screened a Food and Drug Administration-approved drug library for members that display bactericidal activity toward 72-h-established P. aeruginosa biofilms using an adenylate kinase reporter assay for bacterial cell death. A total of 34 compounds displayed antibiofilm activity. Among these, zinc pyrithione was also shown to reduce levels of A. baumannii and S. aureus biofilm-associated bacteria and exhibited an additive effect in combination with silver sulfadiazine, a leading topical therapeutic for wound site infections. The improved antimicrobial activity of zinc pyrithione and silver sulfadiazine was maintained in an ointment formulation and led to improved clearance of P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, and S. aureus in a murine model of wound infection. Taken together, these results suggest that topical zinc pyrithione and silver sulfadiazine combination formulations may mitigate wound-associated bacterial infections and disease progression.

IMPORTANCE Topical antimicrobial ointments ostensibly mitigate bacterial wound disease and reliance on systemic antibiotics. Yet studies have called into question the therapeutic benefits of several traditional topical antibacterials, accentuating the need for improved next-generation antimicrobial ointments. Yet the development of such agents consisting of a new chemical entity is a time-consuming and expensive proposition. Considering that drug combinations are a mainstay therapeutic strategy for the treatment of other therapeutic indications, one alternative approach is to improve the performance of conventional antimicrobial ointments by the addition of a well-characterized and FDA-approved agent. Here we report data that indicate that the antimicrobial properties of silver sulfadiazine ointments can be significantly improved by the addition of the antifungal zinc pyrithione, suggesting that such combinations may provide an improved therapeutic option for the topical treatment of wound infections.