Claudicating patients with peripheral artery disease have meaningful improvement in walking speed after supervised exercise therapy

Six-month combined aerobic and resistance exercise program enhances 6-minute walk test and physical fitness in people with peripheral arterial disease: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

Exercise therapy is a recognized non-pharmacological intervention for peripheral arterial disease (PAD); however, the effects of combined exercise remain under investigation. This study aimed to compare the effects of a 6-month combined supervised exercise program (SUP) with a usual care (UC) approach on walking ability, physical fitness, and peripheral blood flow in people with PAD and claudication.

METHODS

Twenty-three male participants (Age=64.1 ± 6.2years and ABI=0.58±0.07) with PAD and claudication were assigned to either the SUP group (n = 10), engaging in structured supervised treadmill walking combined with three resistance exercises, three times a week, or the UC group (n = 13), receiving advice to walk. The primary outcome measure was walking ability, with assessments conducted at baseline (M0), after 3 months (M3), and 6 months (M6).

RESULTS

After the 6-month intervention, the SUP group exhibited significant improvements in absolute claudication time (ACT, p = 0.045), maximal walking time (MWT, p = 0.045), maximal walking distance (MWD, p = 0.027), and pause duration (p = 0.045) during the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), when compared to the UC group. Over time, a significant increase in walking speed during the 6MWT (Speed6MWT, p = 0.001) and walking speed without claudication (SpeedNoC, p < 0.001) was found, although no significant differences were found between the groups. The SUP group increased by 0.8 km/h in both Speed6MWT and SpeedNoC, while the UC group increased by 0.3 km/h and 0.6 km/h, respectively. Despite claudication consistently occurring at the same time, the SUP group demonstrated an improved tolerance to pain or a better understanding of pain, enabling them to walk longer distances at higher speeds. A positive effect of SUP was found for chair sit-and-reach test (p = 0.023), percentage of fat mass (p = 0.048), fat-free mass (p = 0.040), and total body water (p = 0.026), suggesting potential benefits attributed to the resistance strength exercises.

CONCLUSION

A 6-month combined treadmill and resistance exercise program improved walking ability, walking speed, lower body and lower back flexibility, and body composition in people with PAD and claudication.

Twelve-Month Health Status Response Following Peripheral Vascular Intervention for Femoropopliteal Lesions Using Zilver PTX Databases Focusing on the Role of Preprocedural Health Status, Comorbid Risks, and Global Setting

OBJECTIVE

Tailoring resources of peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) to those who stand to gain the most, would allow for more equitable and value-based care. One way of evaluating the benefit of PVIs in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) is evaluating their health status and identifying predictors of health status response 12 months following the intervention.

METHODS

Patients undergoing femoropopliteal PVI between March 2005 and August 2008 from the Zilver PTX randomized trial and single-arm study were combined into a single cohort for secondary data analysis. The pre-procedural and 12-month health status was assessed by the EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D). First, we evaluated the 12-month EQ-5D index (per 1-unit increase), adjusted for treatment condition and patient characteristics using a linear regression. Second, using the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) threshold for the EQ-5D index, we identified 12-month non-responders (worsened or no change) vs. responders (improved) and conducted an adjusted logistic regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 513 patients were included (mean age 67.8 ± 9.2 years; 25.1% female), with 17.8% USA and 82.2% non-USA global enrollment sites. The MCID for the EQ-5D was 0.058. For 12-month post PVI health status, a total of 57.9% improved, 31.4% experienced no change, and 10.7% worsened, relative to their preprocedural health status. Patients who were more likely to be non-responders were more likely to have a history of carotid artery disease or were situated at a USA enrolling center.

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients reported improved or stable health status after femoral-popliteal PVI. About 4 in 10 were non-responders, with the highest risk for non-response including individuals with existing carotid disease or those undergoing PVIs in the USA vs. non-USA settings.

Home-based Circuit Training and Community Walking for Intermittent Claudication

BACKGROUND

Supervised exercise training is recommended for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD), yet it remains underutilized. Home-based exercise programs (HBEPs) are a potential alternative. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a full scale trial of a 12-week HBEP for people living with symptomatic PAD.

METHODS

In a randomized feasibility trial, patients with intermittent claudication were allocated to either an HBEP or a nonexercise control. The HBEP group was given a Fitbit to use during a 12-week exercise program comprising of personalized step goals and a resistance-based circuit to be undertaken at home twice weekly. The primary outcome was feasibility, assessed via eligibility, recruitment, attrition, tolerability, and adherence. Acceptability was assessed via semistructured interviews. Secondary analysis was undertaken to determine the feasibility of collecting clinical outcome data.

RESULTS

188 people were screened, 133 were eligible (70.7%), 30 were recruited (22.6%) and one withdrew (3.33%). Mean adherence to the daily step goal was 53.5% (range = 29.8-90.5%), and 58.6% of prescribed circuits were completed of which 56.4% were at the desired intensity. Six adverse events were recorded, 3 of which were related to study involvement. No significant differences were observed in exploratory outcomes. Small clinically important differences were seen in walking speed and pain-free treadmill walking distance which should be confirmed or refuted in a larger trial.

CONCLUSIONS

The HBEP was feasible and well tolerated, with successful recruitment and minimal attrition. The intervention was acceptable, with walking seen as more enjoyable than circuit exercise. The WALKSTRONG program may be suitable for those who will not, or cannot, take part in supervised exercise outside of the home.

Peripheral artery disease causes consistent gait irregularities regardless of the location of leg claudication pain

BACKGROUND

The most common symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is intermittent claudication that involves the calf, thigh, and/or buttock muscles. How the specific location of this leg pain is related to altered gait, however, is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that because the location of claudication symptoms uniquely affects different leg muscle groups in people with PAD, this would produce distinctive walking patterns.

METHODS

A total of 105 participants with PAD and 35 age-matched older volunteers without PAD (CTRL) were recruited. Participants completed walking impairment questionnaires (WIQ), Gardner-Skinner progressive treadmill tests, the six-minute walk test, and we performed an advanced evaluation of the biomechanics of their overground walking. Participants with PAD were categorized into 4 groups according to their stated pain location(s): calf only (C, n = 43); thigh and calf (TC, n = 18); buttock and calf (BC, n = 15); or buttock, thigh, and calf (BTC, n = 29). Outcomes were compared between CTRL, C, TC, BC and BTC groups using a one-way ANOVA with post-hoc comparisons to identify and assess statistically significant differences.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between CTRL, C, TC, BC and BTC groups in distances walked or walking speed when either pain-free or experiencing claudication pain. Each participant with PAD had significantly dysfunctional biomechanical gait parameters, even when pain-free, when compared to CTRL (pain-free) walking data. During pain-free walking, out of the 18 gait parameters evaluated, we only identified significant differences in hip power generation during push-off (in C and TC groups) and in knee power absorption during weight acceptance (in TC and BC groups). There were no between-group differences in gait parameters while people with PAD were walking with claudication pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that PAD affects the ischemic lower extremities in a diffuse manner irrespective of the location of claudication symptoms.

DATABASE REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01970332.

Time-course evolution of functional performance during a 3-month supervised exercise training program in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease

INTRODUCTION

Functional performance is impaired in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The effects of a supervised exercise training (SET) program on functional performance have yet to be clearly determined. The aim was to investigate the time-course evolution of functional performance during a 3-month SET program.

METHODS

Patients with chronic symptomatic PAD participating in a 3-month SET program were investigated. Six-minute walking distance (6MWD), the stair climbing test (SCT), and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were assessed before SET, after the first and second months of SET, and following the SET program. The ankle- and toe-brachial indices were measured before and after the SET program.

RESULTS

Ninety patients with PAD (age 65.4 ± 10.2 years) were analyzed. The 6MWD significantly improved after the first (+7%, p ⩽ 0.001) and second months (+13%, p ⩽ 0.001) and following SET (+14%, p ⩽ 0.001) compared to before the SET program. The 6MWD significantly improved after the 2nd month (+6%, p ⩽ 0.001) and following SET (+7%, p ⩽ 0.001) compared to after the first month of the SET program. The SPPB score and SCT performance significantly improved after the first (SPPB score: +9%, p ⩽ 0.001; SCT: +17%, p ⩽ 0.001) and second months (SPPB score: +11%, p ⩽ 0.001; SCT: +24%, p ⩽ 0.001) and following SET (SPPB score: +12%, p ⩽ 0.001; SCT: +25%, p ⩽ 0.001) compared to before the SET program. No significant differences were observed following SET compared to the second month of the SET program. Vascular parameters did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

A 3-month SET program improves several components of functional performance, and adaptations mainly occur during the 1st and 2nd months of the SET program.

Nitinol overdose-rescue of acute limb ischemia caused by stenting of the common iliac, external iliac, common femoral, superficial femoral, and popliteal arteries in an actively smoking patient with claudication

Intermittent claudication (IC) from peripheral arterial disease is typically managed with pharmacologic interventions and lifestyle changes. However, despite societal guidelines, initial endovascular interventions are being used more frequently with an increased incidence of complications, resulting in rapid disease progression to critical and acute limb-threatening ischemia (ALI). The present report describes the case of a patient who developed ALI after treatment of IC at another facility, with malpositioned bilateral common iliac stents, continuous stent extension into the popliteal artery, and acute occlusion of the entirety of the right lower extremity vasculature. This case illustrates how extensive endovascular intervention for IC can result in ALI requiring urgent revascularization.

Sit to Stand Muscle Power Is Related to Functional Performance at Baseline and After Supervised Exercise Training in Patients with Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease

OBJECTIVE

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have decreased muscle power, contributing to functional limitations. The sit to stand (STS) is a validated test to assess muscle power in older individuals; however, it has never been investigated in patients with PAD. The relationship between STS muscle power, and common disease related outcomes was evaluated at baseline and following supervised exercise training (SET) in patients with PAD.

METHODS

This observational study investigated patients with Fontaine stage II. Before and after SET, maximum treadmill walking distance (MWD), functional performance tests (six minute walk, STS, stair climbing, habitual gait speed), and quality of life (Short Form 36 questionnaire) were assessed. Relative (W/kg) STS muscle power was calculated using a validated equation. Multiple regressions models were used.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients with PAD were included (63.1 ± 12.1 years, 67% male). Relative STS muscle power before: 2.7 W/kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5 - 2.9; after: 3.3, 95% CI 3.1 - 3.6, MWD before: 367.0 m, 95% CI 302.4 - 431.5; after: 598.4, 95% CI 515.6 - 681.3, six minute walking distance before: 418.3 metres; 95% CI 399.4 - 437.2; after: 468.8; 95% CI 452.7-484.9, stair climbing performance before: 6.8 seconds 95% CI 6.2 - 7.4); after: 5.3; 95% CI 4.9 - 5.7, habitual gait speed before: 1.10 m/s, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.14; after: 1.18, 95% CI 1.14 - 1.22 increased significantly following SET (p < .001). Similarly, physical before: 31.4, 95% CI 29.4 - 33.3; after: 35.8, 95% CI 33.9 - 37.7 and mental before: 39.5, 95% CI 37.0 - 42.0; after: 43.1, 95% CI 40.9 - 45.4 component summaries of the SF-36 also increased significantly (p < .001). Greater relative STS muscle power at baseline was significantly related to greater baseline treadmill (β < .380; p < .002) and functional (β < .597; p < .001) performance, and quality of life (β < .291; p < .050). Larger increases in relative STS muscle power following SET were associated with greater improvements in functional performance (β < .419; p < .009).

CONCLUSION

The STS test is a valid clinical tool to monitor overall functional status in patients with symptomatic PAD.

Minimal clinically important differences in daily physical activity outcomes following supervised and home-based exercise in peripheral artery disease

Introduction: We estimated minimal clinically important differences (MCID) for small, moderate, and large changes in daily step counts and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) following both supervised and home-based exercise programs in symptomatic patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods: Patients were randomized to either 12 weeks of a supervised exercise program (n = 60), a home-based exercise program (n = 60), or an attention-control group (n = 60). Results: Using the anchor-based method to determine MCID, the MCID value for a large change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was an increase of 1211 total daily steps and an increase in 11 minutes in the time spent in MVPA following 12 weeks of exercise intervention. Using the distribution-based method, the MCID values for small, moderate, and large changes in total daily steps in the home-based exercise group were 558, 1396, and 2233 steps/d, respectively, and the corresponding changes in the time spent in MVPA were 6, 15, and 23 minutes. Similar distribution-based MCID scores were noted for the supervised exercise group. Conclusion: Following 3 months of home-based and supervised exercise programs for patients with PAD and claudication, increases of 11 minutes in time spent in MVPA and 1211 total daily steps were associated with large anchor-based MCID increases in HRQoL. The clinical implication is that patients with PAD and claudication should be encouraged to increase daily steps, particularly by walking an additional 11 minutes each day in MVPA, which is associated with a large meaningful increase in HRQoL.

Supervised exercise therapy for patients with peripheral artery disease: Clinical update and pathways forward

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic vascular disease resulting in widespread morbidity and mortality, particularly among older adults. One first-line therapy to improve symptoms, function, and clinical outcomes in PAD is supervised exercise therapy (SET), which is based primarily on a structured, start-and-stop walking protocol and is implemented in cardiac rehabilitation programs. SET is supported by a Class IA guideline for patients with symptomatic PAD; however, despite the effectiveness of SET and the 2017 CMS decision to cover SET for PAD, challenges of awareness, access, and implementation of SET persist. Recent efforts to address these challenges include digital health and hybrid approaches to SET that may minimize barriers to care by delivering SET in more innovative, flexible formats. Further study is needed to understand barriers, improve awareness, and implement SET in more equitable and accessible ways.

Muscle forces and power are significantly reduced during walking in patients with peripheral artery disease

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have significantly reduced lower extremity muscle strength compared with healthy individuals as measured during isolated, single plane joint motion by isometric and isokinetic strength dynamometers. Alterations to the force contribution of muscles during walking caused by PAD are not well understood. Therefore, this study used simulations with PAD biomechanics data to understand lower extremity muscle functions in patients with PAD during walking and to compare that with healthy older individuals. A total of 12 patients with PAD and 10 age-matched healthy older controls walked across a 10-meter pathway with reflective markers on their lower limbs. Marker coordinates and ground reaction forces were recorded and exported to OpenSim software to perform gait simulations. Walking velocity, joint angles, muscle force, muscle power, and metabolic rate were calculated and compared between patients with PAD and healthy older controls. Our results suggest that patients with PAD walked slower with less hip extension during propulsion. Significant force and power reductions were observed in knee extensors during weight acceptance and in plantar flexors and hip flexors during propulsion in patients with PAD. The estimated metabolic rate of walking during stance was not different between patients with PAD and controls. This study is the first to analyze lower limb muscular responses during walking in patients with PAD using the OpenSim simulation software. The simulation results of this study identified important information about alterations to muscle force and power during walking in those with PAD.