Bypass versus endovascular intervention for healing ischemic foot wounds secondary to tibial arterial disease

National trends and outcomes of pedal bypass surgery

OBJECTIVE

The technical demands associated with pedal bypass (PB) surgery place it at risk of underutilization and may be limiting its widespread adoption as a valuable revascularization modality. This study aims to evaluate trends in PB performance, assess its outcomes, and compare its results between high- and low-volume centers.

METHODS

All patients receiving a PB between 2003 and 2023 were identified in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) infrainguinal bypass (IIB) module. The ratio of PB to total IIB performed was calculated for each year and trended over the study period. Centers performing PB were categorized according to their annual PB volume into tertiles of low-volume centers (LVC, <2 PB/year), medium-volume centers (MVC, 2-4 PB/year), and high-volume centers (HVC, >4 PB/year) for comparison. Patient characteristics and outcomes were compared using the χ2 or Fisher exact test as appropriate for categorical variables and the analysis of variance test or Kruskal-Wallis test as appropriate for continuous variables. Cox regression analysis was used to study the association between center volume and the primary outcomes of primary patency, primary-assisted patency, secondary patency, reintervention, amputation, and major adverse limb events (MALE), defined as the composite outcome of amputation and/or reintervention.

RESULTS

A total of 3466 patients received a PB during the study period. The ratio of PB to IIB dropped from 14% to 4% between 2003 and 2023. Primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates were 65%, 76%, and 80%, respectively, and limb salvage rate was 83% at 1 year. Nineteen percent of centers performing IIBs in the VQI did not perform any PBs during the study period. Of the 246 centers performing PBs, 78% were LVC, 15% were MVC, and only 7% were HVC. On Cox regression analysis, HVCs were associated with a lower risk of primary patency loss (hazard ratio [HR], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.95; P = .010), reintervention (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.95; P = .016), amputation (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.61-0.98; P = .034), and MALE (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.93; P = .005) compared with LVCs. No difference in secondary patency between high- and low-volume centers was observed (P = .680).

CONCLUSIONS

The utilization of PB operations experienced a four-fold decrease over the past 20 years, despite favorable patency and limb salvage outcomes. Centers with a higher operative volume in PB achieve better outcomes than LVCs, and accordingly, patients with extensive tibioperoneal disease may benefit from evaluation at centers with documented expertise in PB before resorting to an alternative revascularization modality or a major limb amputation.

Midterm Outcomes and Predictors of Failure of Lower Extremity Bypass to Para-Malleolar and Pedal Targets

BACKGROUND

The frequency of distal lower extremity bypass (LEB) for infrapopliteal critical limb threatening ischemia (IP-CLTI) has significantly decreased. Our goal was to analyze the contemporary outcomes and factors associated with failure of LEB to para-malleolar and pedal targets.

METHODS

We queried the Vascular Quality Initiative infrainguinal database from 2003 to 2021 to identify LEB to para-malleolar or pedal/plantar targets. Primary outcomes were graft patency, major adverse limb events [vascular reintervention, above ankle amputation] (MALE), and amputation-free survival at 2 years. Standard statistical methods were utilized.

RESULTS

We identified 2331 LEB procedures (1,265 anterior tibial at ankle/dorsalis pedis, 783 posterior tibial at ankle, 283 tarsal/plantar). The prevalence of LEB bypasses to distal targets has significantly decreased from 13.37% of all LEB procedures in 2003-3.51% in 2021 (P < 0.001). The majority of cases presented with tissue loss (81.25. Common postoperative complications included major adverse cardiac events (8.9%) and surgical site infections (3.6%). Major amputations occurred in 16.8% of patients at 1 year. Postoperative mortality at 1 year was 10%. On unadjusted Kaplan-Meier survival analysis at 2 years, primary patency was 50.56% ± 3.6%, MALE was 63.49% ± 3.27%, and amputation-free survival was 71.71% ± 0.98%. In adjusted analyses [adjusted for comorbidities, indication, conduit type, urgency, prior vascular interventions, graft inflow vessel (femoral/popliteal), concomitant inflow procedures, surgeon and center volume] conduits other than great saphenous vein (P < 0.001) were associated with loss of primary patency and increased MALE. High center volume (>5 procedures/year) was associated with improved primary patency (P = 0.015), and lower MALE (P = 0.021) at 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite decreased utilization, open surgical bypass to distal targets at the ankle remains a viable option for treatment of IP-CLTI with acceptable patency and amputation-free survival rates at 2 years. Bypasses to distal targets should be performed at high volume centers to optimize graft patency and limb salvage and minimize reinterventions.

Influence of inframalleolar modifier P0/P1 on wound healing in bypass surgery vs endovascular therapy in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the influence of inframalleolar (IM) P0/P1 on wound healing in bypass surgery vs endovascular therapy (EVT) in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the multicenter data of patients who underwent infra-inguinal revascularization for CLTI between 2015 and 2022. IM P represents target artery crossing into foot, with intact pedal arch (P0) and absent or severely diseased pedal arch (P1). The endpoints were wound healing, limb salvage (LS), and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

We analyzed 66 and 189 propensity score-matched pairs in the IM P0 and IM P1 cohorts, respectively. In the IM P0 cohort, the 1-year wound healing rates were 94.5% and 85.7% in the bypass surgery and EVT groups, respectively (P = .092), whereas those in the IM P1 cohort were 86.2% and 66.2% in the bypass surgery and EVT groups, respectively (P < .001). In the IM P0 cohort, the 2-year LS rates were 96.7% and 94.1% in the bypass surgery and EVT groups, respectively (P = .625), and those in the IM P1 cohort were 91.8% and 81.5% in the bypass surgery and EVT groups, respectively (P = .004). No significant differences were observed between the bypass surgery and EVT in terms of postoperative complication rates in either the IM P0 or P1 cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Bypass surgery facilitated better wound healing and LS than EVT in patients with IM P1. Conversely, no differences in wound healing or LS were observed between groups in patients with IM P0. Bypass surgery should be considered a better revascularization strategy than EVT in patients with tissue loss and IM P1 disease.

Effectiveness of revascularisation for the ulcerated foot in patients with diabetes and peripheral artery disease: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with an increased likelihood of delayed or non-healing of a diabetes-related foot ulcer, gangrene, and amputation. The selection of the most effective surgical technique for revascularisation of the lower limb in this population is challenging and there is a lack of conclusive evidence to support the choice of intervention. This systematic review aimed to determine, in people with diabetes and tissue loss, if direct revascularisation is superior to indirect revascularisation and if endovascular revascularisation is superior to open revascularisation for the outcomes of wound healing, minor or major amputation, and adverse events including mortality.

METHODS

Title and abstract searches of Medline, Embase, PubMed, and EBSCO were conducted from 1980 to 30th November 2022. Cohort and case-control studies and randomised controlled trials reporting comparative outcomes of direct (angiosome) revascularisation (DR) and indirect revascularisation (IR) or the comparative outcomes of endovascular revascularisation and open or hybrid revascularisation for the outcomes of healing, minor amputation, and major amputation in people with diabetes, PAD and tissue loss (including foot ulcer and/or gangrene) were eligible. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials, the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomised studies, and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational and cohort studies where details regarding the allocation to intervention groups were not provided.

RESULTS

From a total 7086 abstracts retrieved, 26 studies met the inclusion criteria for the comparison of direct angiosome revascularisation (DR) and indirect revascularisation (IR), and 11 studies met the inclusion criteria for the comparison of endovascular and open revascularisation. One study was included in both comparisons. Of the included studies, 35 were observational (31 retrospective and 4 prospective cohorts) and 1 was a randomised controlled trial. Cohort study quality was variable and generally low, with common sources of bias related to heterogeneous participant populations and interventions and lack of reporting of or adjusting for confounding factors. The randomised controlled trial had a low risk of bias. For studies of DR and IR, results were variable, and it is uncertain if one technique is superior to the other for healing, prevention of minor or major amputation, or mortality. However, the majority of studies reported that a greater proportion of participants receiving DR healed compared with IR, and that IR with collaterals may have similar outcomes to DR for wound healing. For patients with diabetes, infrainguinal PAD, and an adequate great saphenous vein available for use as a bypass conduit who were deemed suitable for either surgical procedure, an open revascularisation first approach was superior to endovascular therapy to prevent a major adverse limb event or death (Hazard Ratio: 0.72; 95% CI 0.61-0.86). For other studies of open and endovascular approaches, there was generally no difference in outcomes between the interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of available evidence for the effectiveness of DR and IR and open and endovascular revascularisation for wound healing and prevention of minor and major amputation and adverse events including mortality in people with diabetes, PAD and tissue loss is inconclusive, and the certainty of evidence is very low. Data from one high quality randomised controlled trial supports the use of open over endovascular revascularisation to prevent a major limb event and death in people with diabetes, infrainguinal disease and tissue loss who have an adequate great saphenous vein available and who are deemed suitable for either approach.

Endovascular revascularization vs. open surgical revascularization for patients with lower extremity artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Currently, the main treatment for lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) is revascularization, including endovascular revascularization (EVR) and open surgical revascularization (OSR), but the specific revascularization strategy for LEAD is controversial. This review provided the comprehensive and recent evidence for the treatment of LEAD.

METHODS

Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant articles. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies comparing the short-term or long-term outcomes between EVR and OSR of LEAD were identified. Short-term outcomes were 30-day mortality, major amputation, wound complication, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and length of hospital stay (LOS), while long-term outcomes included overall survival (OS), amputation-free survival (AFS), freedom from re-intervention (FFR), primary patency (PP), and secondary patency (SP).

RESULTS

11 RCTs and 105 cohorts involving 750,134 patients were included in this analysis. For the pooled results of cohort studies, EVR markedly decreased the risk of 30-day mortality, wound complication, MACEs, LOS, but increased the risk of OS, FFR, PP, and SP. For the pooled outcomes of RCTs, EVR was associated with obviously lower 30-day mortality, less wound complication and shorter LOS, but higher risk of PP, and SP. However, both RCTs and cohorts did not show obvious difference in 30-day major amputation and AFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the pooled results of cohorts and RCTs indicated that EVR was associated with a lower short-term risk for LEAD, while OSR was accompanied by a substantially lower long-term risk. Therefore, the life expectancy of LEAD should be strictly considered when choosing the revascularization modality. As the current findings mainly based on data of retrospective cohort studies, additional high-quality studies are essential to substantiate these results.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails, identifier CRD42022317239.

Distal Bypass Versus Infrageniculate Endovascular Intervention for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) carries a high risk of amputation and warrants urgent intervention. CLTI involving the infrageniculate vessels, in particular, carries a considerably higher risk of major limb amputation. Open surgical bypass is the historical gold standard for the treatment of tibial arterial disease; however, endovascular therapy provides an attractive alternative in this high-risk patient population. In this article, we review the existing literature regarding distal bypass and infrageniculate endovascular intervention in patients with CLTI.

Principal predictors of major adverse limb events in diabetic peripheral artery disease: A narrative review

Background and aims

The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus is causing a massive growth of peripheral artery disease incidences, a disabling complication of diabetic atherosclerosis, which leads often to the amputation of the affected limb. Critical limb ischemia is the terminal disease stage, which requires a prompt intervention to relieve pain and save limbs. However, patients undergoing revascularization often suffer from cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and major adverse limb events with poor outcomes. Furthermore, the same procedure performed in apparently similar patients has various outcomes and lack of an outcome predictive support causes a high lower limb arterial revascularization rate with disastrous effects for patients. We collected the main risk factors of major adverse limb events in a more readable and immediate format of the topic, to propose an overview of parameters to manage effectively peripheral artery disease patients and to propose basics of a new predictive tool to prevent from disabling vascular complications of the disease.

Methods

Most recent and updated literature about the prevalence of major adverse limb events in peripheral artery disease was reviewed to identify possible main predictors.

Results

In this article, we summarized major risk factors of limb revascularization failure and disabling vascular complications collecting those parameters principally responsible for major adverse limb events, which provides physio-pathological explanation of their role in peripheral artery disease.

Conclusion

We evaluated and listed a panel of possible predictors of MALE (Major Adverse Limb Event) in order to contribute to the development of a predictive score, based on a summary of the main risk factors reported in scientific articles, which could improve the management of peripheral artery disease by preventing vascular accidents.

The Global Anatomic Staging System Does Not Predict Limb Based Patency of Tibial Endovascular Interventions

OBJECTIVE

Anatomic grading systems have historically been poor predictors of patency after endovascular tibial interventions. The Global Vascular Guidelines proposed a new Global Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) to estimate one-year limb-based patency (LBP). The purpose of this study was to determine the association of GLASS with LBP following endovascular tibial interventions.

METHODS

We included all patients presenting to our multidisciplinary diabetic limb preservation service between 01/2012 and 8/2020 who underwent first-time endovascular tibial revascularization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Diagnostic angiograms were reviewed to define the preferred target artery pathway and assign a GLASS stage to each treated limb. One-year LBP was calculated and compared across GLASS stages using Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

We performed tibial revascularization in 96 limbs (5.2% rest pain, 56.3% ulcer, 37.5% gangrene), including isolated tibial interventions in 61.5% and tibial + femoropopliteal interventions in 38.5%. 15.6% of limbs were GLASS stage 1, 28.1% were GLASS stage 2, and 56.3% were GLASS stage 3. Overall, one-year LBP was 43.2 ± 6.3%, and did not differ significantly across GLASS stages (P = 0.42). The hazard ratio for failed LBP was 1.94 (95% CI 0.70-5.41) for GLASS stage 2 and 1.49 (95% CI 0.56-3.94) for GLASS stage 3 limbs (versus GLASS stage 1). When analyzed excluding the calcium modifier, LBP remained similar across GLASS stages (P = 0.72). Major amputation was uncommon, occurring in 9.3 ± 3.4% of limbs at one year, and did not significantly differ by GLASS stage (P = 0.98).

CONCLUSION

The Global Anatomic Staging System did not predict limb-based patency following tibial endovascular interventions. Given the low major amputation rates in this cohort, anatomic complexity should not preclude endovascular limb salvage efforts below the knee.

The short- and long-term efficacies of endovascular interventions for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke patients

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the short- and long-term efficacies of endovascular interventional therapy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 94 patients with AIS were recruited and divided into a control group (n=51) that was administered intra-arterial thrombolysis and an observation group (n=43) that was administered Solitaire stent thrombectomies. The postoperative recanalization and overall response rates were recorded in both groups. The hemodynamic parameters (high shear viscosity, low shear viscosity, plasma viscosity, and hematocrit), and the C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, and fibrinogen levels were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment. In addition, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and the modified Rankin Scale scores were analyzed before the treatment and at 1 and 3 months after the treatment in both groups. After a 3-year follow-up, a survival analysis was also performed using the Kaplan-Meier survival method.

RESULTS

The overall response and recanalization rates were higher in the observation group than they were in the control group (P<0.05). Before the treatment, there were no significant differences in the hemodynamic parameter, C-reactive protein, interleukin, 6 and fibrinogen levels in the two groups (P>0.05). After the treatment, the above levels in both groups decreased compared to their levels before the treatment, and the observation group had significantly lower levels than the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, no significant differences were seen in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and modified Rankin Scale scores between the two groups before the treatment (P>0.05). After the treatment, the above scores were decreased in both groups at 1 and 3 months compared to their pre-treatment levels, and the scores were significantly lower in the observation group than they were in the control group at 1 month after the treatment (P<0.05). After a 3-year follow-up, the Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that the survival times were significantly longer in the observation group than they were in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Solitaire stent thrombectomy markedly ameliorates neurological deficits in AIS patients, improves their recanalization rated, regulates the inflammatory response and hemodynamics in the lesion areas, thus exerting favorable short- and long-term clinical effects.

Early evaluation of the infrainguinal revascularization strategy selection tool of the Global Vascular Guidelines for chronic limb-threatening ischemia patients

OBJECTIVE

The Global Vascular Guidelines (GVG) propose a novel Global Anatomic Staging System (GLASS) with the Wound, Ischemia, and foot Infection (WIfI) classification system as a clinical decision-making tool for interventions in chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). We assessed the validity of clinical staging and the relationship between the treatments recommended by the GVG and the outcomes of the actual procedures.

METHODS

This retrospective, single-center, observational study included 117 patients with CLTI undergoing infrainguinal revascularization in our hospital between 2015 and 2019. Of those patients, 55 underwent open bypass (OB) and 62 underwent endovascular revascularization (EVR). Femoropopliteal, infrapopliteal, and inframalleolar GLASS grades were assigned based on angiographic images. These grades were combined to determine the revascularization strategy recommended by the GVG: "endovascular," "indeterminate," and "open bypass." The indeterminate category includes three subcategories: GLASS stage III, WIfI stage 2; GLASS stage II, WIfI stage 3; and GLASS stage II, WIfI stage 4. For the purposes of this study, we labeled these subcategories A, B, and C, respectively. The primary outcome was the correlation between the revascularization strategies recommended by the GVG and the actual procedures performed. The relationships between the actual procedures and overall survival, limb salvage, and patency were also examined.

RESULTS

The femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal GLASS grades were higher in the OB group. EVR was performed more often for GLASS stages I and II and was more often classified as indeterminate B and C, whereas OB was performed more often in GLASS stage III and was more often classified as indeterminate A. There were no statistically significant differences in the inframalleolar/pedal disease descriptor or in the 30-day postoperative complication rates between the two groups. In higher GLASS stages, the technical success rate of EVR was lower, and lesion complexity was more severe. Patients for whom the recommended strategy according to the GVG would have been OB but who underwent EVR were associated with low limb salvage and patency rates.

CONCLUSIONS

The GVG provide good guidance for the selection of the revascularization strategy. When the GVG indicate OB, it should be the treatment of choice, rather than EVR, for patients who are fit to undergo the procedure.

Bifurcated bypass in severe chronic limb threatening ischaemia

OBJECTIVES

Revascularization according to the angiosome concept is of proven importance for limb salvage in chronic limb threatening ischaemia but it is not always practicable. Bifurcated bypasses could be considered as an option when an endovascular approach is not feasible or has already failed and a single bypass would not allow direct revascularization of the ischaemic area. Bifurcated bypasses are characterized by landing on two different arteries, the main artery (in direct continuity with the foot vessels) and the secondary one (perfusing the angiosome district). The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of bifurcated bypass in chronic limb threatening ischaemia.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients were consecutively treated with a bifurcated bypass for chronic limb threatening ischaemia from January 2014 to December 2019 in a single vascular surgery centre. Data from clinical records and operative registers were collected prospectively in an electronic database and retrospectively analysed. Primary and primary assisted bypass patency, amputation-free survival, morbidity and mortality rates at 12 and 24 months were analysed.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up period was 25.1 months (range 2-72 months). Thirty-six bifurcated bypasses were performed on 35 patients (age 75.3 ± 7.2 years; 69.4% were male). According to Wound, Ischemia, foot Infection classification 22.2% belonged to stage 3 and 77.8% to stage 4 and the mean Rutherford's class was 5.1 ± 0.7. Immediate technical success was 100%. Early mortality and morbidity rates were respectively 5.5%, and 33.3%; foot surgery was performed in 50% of cases with wound healing in all patients. Primary patency and primary assisted bypass patency were 96.7% and 100% at 6 months; 85.2% and 92% at 12 months, 59.9% and 73.4% at 24 months, respectively. Amputation-free survival at 12 and 24 months was, respectively, 95.6% and 78.8%. Overall survival rates at 12 and 24 months were respectively 94.4% and 91.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Bifurcates bypass can provide good results in patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia without endovascular option, especially in diabetic ones. Bifurcated bypass is a complex surgical solution, both to be planned and performed, and it is quite invasive for frail patients that should be accurately selected.

Outcomes of open and hybrid treatments in below the knee pathology for critical limb threatening ischemia

INTRODUCTION

The optimal management of below the knee pathology remains one of the most challenging areas for revascularization in patients presenting with critical limb threatening ischemia. Patients commonly have multilevel lesions and have a high amputation rate and associated mortality. This review aimed to assess the outcomes of below the knee revascularization strategies.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

An online literature search of medical databases for original articles or review articles was conducted using mesh terms.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Bypass surgery remains the gold standard for revascularization with good long-term outcomes with regards to patency, limb salvage, and quality of life but is associated with a higher morbidity than the endovascular approach. Given the increasing frailty of our patients, endovascular treatments have become the preferred strategy with results that are now equal to bypass. Hybrid surgery is an increasingly popular option as it combines the benefits of both endovascular and open surgery and although the evidence base is small the outcomes are encouraging.

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid surgery offers promising results and could be considered in the treatment of multi-level lower limb arterial disease especially in high-risk patients or those who are not suitable for either open or endovascular techniques as a sole treatment modality.

Inframalleolar bypass for chronic limb-threatening ischemia

The aims of this study were to analyze the results of inframalleolar bypass for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and to identify outcome-predicting factors. All consecutive patients undergoing inframalleolar bypass for CLTI between 2015 and 2018 were included in this retrospective, single-center study. Outflow artery was the most proximal patent vessel segment in continuity with inframalleolar arteries. Bypasses originating from the popliteal artery were defined as 'short bypasses'. Sixty patients underwent inframalleolar bypass, with four patients undergoing bilateral procedures, making a total of 64 limbs included. The mean age was 73 ± 14 and 52 (81%) were male. The great saphenous vein was the preferred conduit (n = 58, 91%), in a devalvulated fashion (n = 56, 88%). Superficial femoral artery was the most common inflow artery for 'long' grafts (n = 22, 34%), while popliteal artery was the inflow artery for all 'short' grafts (n = 25, 39%). Dorsalis pedis artery was chosen as an outflow artery in 41 patients (63%). Median follow-up was 21 months. Two-year primary and secondary patency, limb salvage, amputation-free survival, and overall survival rates were 67 ± 6%, 88 ± 4%, 84 ± 4%, 72 ± 6%, and 85 ± 4%, respectively. At multivariate analysis, dialysis was an independent predictor for poor primary patency (HR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.62-13.05; p = 0.004), whereas a short bypass was independently associated with an increased primary patency (HR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.10-0.89; p = 0.03). In conclusion, bypass grafting to the inframalleolar arteries resulted in good patency rates, limb salvage and overall survival. Dialysis patients had lower primary patency but still had good limb salvage and survival. Short bypass was a predictor of improved primary patency.

Discrepancy in Outcomes after Revascularization for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Warrants Separate Reporting of Rest Pain and Tissue Loss

BACKGROUND

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) manifests as rest pain (RP) and tissue loss (TL). Outcomes of lower extremity revascularization (LER) for CLTI have traditionally been evaluated as a single entity and compared with claudication. We hypothesize that patients presenting with TL have worse short-term outcomes after LER, compared to patients with RP.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample was reviewed between 2009 and 2013. All patients undergoing LER for TL and RP were identified. Patient characteristics, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), length of stay, rates of inpatient major amputation, and mortality after LER were noted. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of inpatient mortality and major amputation between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

A total of 218,628 patients underwent LER (RP = 76,108, TL = 142,519). Patients with TL were more likely to undergo endovascular LER (RP = 31.3% vs. TL = 48.7%; P < 0.001). Patients with TL had higher comorbidities as suggested by increased likelihood of having CCI ≥3 (RP = 22.9% vs. TL = 40.3%; P < 0.001). The mean costs were significantly higher in the TL group (RP = $23,795 vs. TL = $31,470; P < 0.001). There was a significantly higher rate of major amputation (RP = 1.3% vs. TL = 6.6%; P < 0.001) and inpatient mortality (RP = 0.9% vs. TL = 1.9%; P < 0.001) after LER for TL. On multivariable analysis, TL was independently associated with increased major amputation (odds ratio [OR] 4.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.18-5.81) and increased mortality (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.16-1.74) compared to RP.

CONCLUSIONS

There is significant discrepancy in outcomes of LER for TL and RP. TL is independently associated with major amputation and inpatient mortality. Outcomes of LER for TL and RP should be reported separately for better benchmarking.

Endovascular Therapy in an "All-Comers" Risk Group for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia Demonstrates Safety and Efficacy When Compared with the Established Performance Criteria Proposed by the Society for Vascular Surgery

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to describe the applicability of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) objective performance goals (OPGs) as a tool to evaluate results in the context of endovascular management of noncomplex and complex patients (i.e., end stage renal disease/history of prosthetic conduit) with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with CLTI undergoing endovascular procedures from March 2016 to April 2017 were included, and medical records were examined. Patients were categorized as OPG risk (OPGR) and non-OPG risk (nOPGR) groups in accordance with the SVS performance criteria. We compared clinical events between the two groups and then further to the SVS OPGs. Thirty-day outcomes (safety) were major amputation (AMP), major adverse limb events (MALEs), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and 1-year outcomes (efficacy) were limb salvage, MALE + 30-day perioperative death (MALE + POD), and survival. Mortality was demonstrated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 72 patients were included (OPGR = 58.3% vs. nOPGR = 41.7%). Mean follow-up was 20 months (range, 1-40 months). Retrograde pedal access was used in 65.2% of patients. The overall AMP rate was 2.7% (OPGR = 4.7%, nOPGR = 0%, P = 0.225, vs. SVS OPG<3%), MALE was 4.1% (OPGR = 7.1%, nOPGR = 0%, P = 0.135, vs. SVS OPG<8%), and MACE was 6.9% (OPGR = 2.3%, nOPGR = 13.3%, P = 0.071, vs. SVS OPG<8%). The limb salvage was 90.3% (OPGR = 88%, nOPGR = 93.3%, P = 0.46, vs. SVS OPG>84%), MALE + POD was 76.4% (OPGR = 78.6%, nOPGR = 73.4%, P = 0.606, vs. SVS OPG>71%), and survival was 77.7% (OPGR = 83.3%, nOPGR = 70%, P = 0.18, vs. SVS OPG>80%).

CONCLUSIONS

The SVS OPGs set appropriate safety and efficacy standards as a bar for new technologies. In this series, endovascular therapy in all-comers exceeded the safety and efficacy endpoints proposed by the limited risk OPG panel.

Bacterial cellulose biopolymer film and gel dressing for the treatment of ischemic wounds after lower limb revascularization

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the use of a bacterial cellulose biopolymer film and gel dressing in the treatment of patients with ischemic wounds submitted to lower limb revascularization.

METHODS

we conducted a randomized clinical trial in the Angiology and Vascular Surgery outpatient clinic of the Clinics Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco, between January 2017 and December 2018. We followed 24 patients after lower limb revascularization, divided into two groups: Experimental, treated with bacterial cellulose biopolymer film and gel, and Control, treated with essential fatty acids. Patients attended weekly appointments to change dressings and had their wound healing processes evaluated over a period of 90 days.

RESULTS

the reduction of the ischemic wounds' areas after 30 days was 4.3cm2 (55%) on average for the experimental group, and the 5.5cm2 (48.5%) for the control group (p>0.05). The complete healing rate at 90 days was 34.8%, 50% in the experimental group and 18.2% in the control group (p=0.053).

CONCLUSION

the bacterial cellulose biopolymer film associated with gel can be used as a dressing in the treatment of ischemic wounds of patients undergoing revascularization of the lower limbs.

Comparison of Bypass and Endovascular Intervention for Popliteal Occlusion with the Involvement of Trifurcation for Critical Limb Ischemia

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to analyze the technical aspects and outcomes of the treatment of occlusion of the popliteal artery with the involvement of the trifurcation treated with a bypass (open) and endovascular (endo) approach.

METHODS

Overall, 108 consecutive procedures were enrolled retrospectively. Patients were evaluated in 2 groups: the endo group (65 patients) and the open group (43 patients). Primary outcome were MALE (major adverse limb events), amputation-free survival, and early mortality (until 30 days). Secondary outcome was overall survival in 3 years. Inclusion criteria were Rutherford 4 and 5 and occlusion of the popliteal artery with the involvement of trifurcation and, at least, 1 infrapopliteal artery of runoff.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 100% of patients in the open and 96.9% of patients in the endo group. Freedom from MALE was 73.5% and 68.5% for 1 and 3 years respectively for the endo group, and 84.3% and 77.2% respectively for the open group (P = 0.413). Considering the total number of major reinterventions executed until 3 years, the reinterventions was statistically more performed in the endo compared to the open group (P = 0.0459). Amputation-free survival for the endo group in 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years was 93.7%, 79.3%, and 66.0%, respectively, and the amputation-free survival for the open group was 88.4%, 77.4%, and 64.3% (P = 0.726). Early mortality was 9.3% for the open group and 1.5% for the endo group (P = 0.060). In 3 years, the overall survival was 75.1% in the open group and 84.3% in the endo group.

CONCLUSIONS

In 3 years, follow-up endovascular treatment of occlusion of the popliteal artery with the involvement of the trifurcation has similar time freedom from MALE compared to open approach. Overall and amputation-free survival was not different between the groups besides more reinterventions in patients who underwent endovascular approach.