Differences in Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Arterial Occlusive Disease

Single versus Multiple Vessel Endovascular Tibial Artery Revascularization for Critical Limb Ischemia: A Review of the Literature

Vascular interventionalists have long debated on whether one or multiple patent tibial arteries (run-off) are necessary to treat critical limb ischemia, including ischemic rest pain and tissue loss. This review article seeks to clarify data surrounding this topic by including literature from retrospective studies, prospective studies, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials. Our conclusion is that revascularizing a single tibial artery to the foot is adequate for wound healing.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome in diabetes mellitus

AIMS

Intermittent claudication is common in diabetes mellitus and usually (attributed to arterial disease) . However, a proportion of patients with diabetes have symptoms of claudication without signs of vascular disease and these patients were evaluated for chronic exertional compartment syndrome.

METHODS

Forty-two patients with diabetes (10 men, 32 women), earlier investigated at diabetic clinics because of claudication with no explanation for the symptoms, were examined. Their median age was 48 years (18-72 years) and the median duration of diabetes was 29 years (1-45 years). Thirty-one patients had Type 1 diabetes, 11 had Type 2 diabetes and 29 had diabetic complications. All were investigated clinically, with radiography, bone scan and intramuscular pressure measurements.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight of 42 patients with diabetes were diagnosed with chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower leg and 32 were treated surgically. Thirty-one patients were operated with fasciotomy of the anterior compartment and 18 also with fasciotomy of the posterior compartment. Additionally, one patient had only fasciotomy of the posterior compartment. Fourteen of 32 surgically treated patients (27 legs) were followed for more than 2 years and rated the post-operative outcome as excellent or good in 21 of the treated legs. The walking distance before lower leg pain increased in all but one patient and seven patients reported unrestricted walking ability.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome should be considered as a differential diagnoses in patients with diabetes and exercise-related lower leg pain. The results after surgery are encouraging and the increased walking ability is beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.