Chapter II: Diagnostic methods

The resistive and pulsatility indices of the dorsal metatarsal artery for the screening of peripheral lower artery disease in patients with and without diabetes

BACKGROUND

In lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD), the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is an easily reproducible diagnostic tool for PAD, but it loses reliability when > 1.4 due to calcification of the vessel wall. Patients with diabetes are at higher risk for wall calcification. In order to overcome the limitation and reliability of ABI, particularly in patients with diabetes, we decided to assess resistive (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) by ultrasound doppler of the dorsal metatarsal artery (DMA).

RESULTS

We therefore analyzed 51 legs (32 patients), evaluating the correlation between PI, RI, and ABI. Patients with diabetes were 21 (65.6 %), accounting for 33 legs (64.7 %). Out of 51 legs assessed, 37 (72.5 %) cases had compressible arteries, whereas in 14 legs (27.5 %) ABI was not calculable due to wall calcification. PAD was significantly associated with lower both RI and PI of the DMA (both p < 0.000). RI, but not PI, showed a significant correlation (r = 0.535) with ABI, when ABI was less than 1.4, but not when ABI > 1.4. When analyzed separately, patients with diabetes showed a similar figure in comparison with those without diabetes (r = 0.600), RI, but not PI, showed a significant correlation with ABI.

CONCLUSION

Dorsal metatarsal artery resistive index (MARI) showed a significant inverse correlation with PAD, similarly to ABI, irrespective of the presence of diabetes. MARI seems to be an effective screening tool for PAD even in patients with wall calcification. Further studies are needed for confirming the results of the present pilot study.

Myofilament dysfunction in diastolic heart failure

Diastolic heart failure (DHF), in which impaired ventricular filling leads to typical heart failure symptoms, represents over 50% of all heart failure cases and is linked with risk factors, including metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, and aging. A substantial proportion of patients with this disorder maintain normal left ventricular systolic function, as assessed by ejection fraction. Despite the high prevalence of DHF, no effective therapeutic agents are available to treat this condition, partially because the molecular mechanisms of diastolic dysfunction remain poorly understood. As such, by focusing on the underlying molecular and cellular processes contributing to DHF can yield new insights that can represent an exciting new avenue and propose a novel therapeutic approach for DHF treatment. This review discusses new developments from basic and clinical/translational research to highlight current knowledge gaps, help define molecular determinants of diastolic dysfunction, and clarify new targets for treatment.

Editor's Choice - Quality Assessment of European Society for Vascular Surgery Clinical Practice Guidelines

OBJECTIVE

An increasing number of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have emerged over recent years. To have clinical utility, they need to be rigorously developed and scientifically robust. Instruments have been developed to assess the quality of clinical guideline development and reporting. The aim of this study was to evaluate CPGs from the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument.

METHODS

CPGs published by the ESVS during the period January 2011 to January 2023 were included. Two independent reviewers assessed the guidelines after receiving training in the use and application of the AGREE II instrument. Inter-reviewer reliability was assessed with the intraclass correlation coefficient. Maximum scaled scores were 100. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics v.26.

RESULTS

Sixteen guidelines were included in the study. Good inter-reviewer score reliability was found on statistical analysis (> 0.9). The mean ± standard deviation domain scores were 68.1 ± 20.3% for scope and purpose, 57.1 ± 21.1% for stakeholder involvement, 67.8 ± 19.5% for rigour of development, 78.1 ± 20.6% for clarity of presentation, 50.3 ± 15.4% for applicability, 77.6 ± 17.6% for editorial independence, and 69.8 ± 20.1% for overall quality. Stakeholder involvement and applicability have improved in quality over time but are still the lowest scoring domains.

CONCLUSION

Most ESVS clinical guidelines are of high quality and reporting. There is scope for improvement, specifically by addressing the domains of stakeholder involvement and clinical applicability.

The Association between Ankle-Brachial Index/Pulse Wave Velocity and Cerebral Large and Small Vessel Diseases in Stroke Patients

(1) Background: The study investigated whether the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and pulse wave velocity (baPWV) could reflect the severity of small vessel disease (SVD) and large artery atherosclerosis (LAA). (2) Methods: A total of 956 consecutive patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke were prospectively enrolled from July 2016 to December 2017. SVD severity and LAA stenosis grades were evaluated via magnetic resonance imaging and carotid duplex ultrasonography. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the ABI/baPWV and measurement values. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictive potential. (3) Results: Among the 820 patients included in the final analysis, the stenosis grade of extracranial and intracranial vessels was inversely correlated with the ABI (p < 0.001, respectively) and positively correlated with the baPWV (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Abnormal ABI, not baPWV, independently predicted the presence of moderate (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.31-3.63) to severe (aOR: 5.59, 95% CI: 2.21-14.13) extracranial vessel stenosis and intracranial vessel stenosis (aOR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.15-3.11). Neither the ABI nor baPWV was independently associated with SVD severity. (4) Conclusions: ABI is better than baPWV in screening for and identifying the existence of cerebral large vessel disease, but neither test is a good predictor of cerebral SVD severity.

A Triplex Ultrasound Evaluation of Preclinical Changes in Type 2 Diabetes in Foot Arteries

Background and objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant health problem that is becoming more prevalent worldwide. This study aimed to assess hemodynamic and morphological parameters in diabetic patients' foot arteries and compare them to those obtained in asymptomatic control group.

Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional case-control study. B-mode ultrasound, color Doppler, and pulse wave Doppler were conducted to assess the dorsalis pedis arteries (DPAs) and posterior tibial arteries (PTAs). The morphological, total vascular diameter, wall thickness, and flow Doppler indices were measured. A total of 200 hundred participants were selected randomly using a random sampling technique. One hundred diabetic patients and 100 non-diabetic persons were determined.

Results: In diabetic patients, the overall grayscale diameter and wall thickness of foot arteries were statistically significantly larger than the asymptomatic group in the right DPA (p<0.01), left DPA (p<0.001), right PTA (p<0.001), and left PTA (p<0.001). In the diabetic group, the level of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was positively correlated with blood flow resistive index (RI) in the right DPA (r=0.839; p<0.001), left DPA (r=0.801; p<0.001), right PTA (r=0.801; p<0.001), and left PTA (r=0.801; p<0.001). No significant differences were noted in both groups in blood flow Doppler parameters - pulsatility index (PI) and resistive index (RI).

Conclusion: Overall grayscale diameters of foot arteries are larger in the diabetes group than in the control group, indicating arterial wall thickening as an early indicator of diabetes-related alterations. PI of both DPA and RI of right DPA were increased in diabetic patients more than the control group. The level of glycosylatedhemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was strongly linked with the blood flow resistive index in diabetes patients.

Doppler Ultrasonography Derived Maximal Systolic Acceleration: Value Determination With Artificially Induced Stenosis

In diagnosing peripheral arterial disease (PAD), medial arterial calcification (MAC) hampers arterial compression and could lead to unreliable ankle brachial index (ABI), toe brachial index (TBI) and toe pressure (TP). Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) derived maximal systolic acceleration (ACCmax) might be more accurate to diagnose PAD. In an in vitro study, a strong correlation between ACCmax and the severity of stenotic disease was determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the ACCmax in correlation with conventional non-invasive diagnostics in an in vivo setting. Methods: In twelve healthy individuals, an arterial stenosis was mimicked by compression on the common femoral artery by an ultrasounds probe, creating a local stenosis of 50%, 70% and 90%. The ABI, TBI, TP and several DUS parameters (including ACCmax) were assessed at the ankle during these different degrees of stenosis. All DUS parameters were measured separately by two observers to determine the interobserver variability. Results: Overall the ABI, TBI, TP, ACCmax, ACCsys and PSV decreased significantly when the degree of stenosis increased. The ACCmax showed the highest correlation with the degree of stenosis (r −.884), compared to ABI (r −.726), TBI (r −.716) and TP (r −.758). Furthermore, the interobserver variability of ACCmax was excellent, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of .97. Conclusion: ACCmax is an accurate non-invasive DUS parameter to diagnose and assess the severity of a mimicked arterial stenosis in healthy individuals. Further prospective assessment of the clinical value of ACCmax and its potential benefits in patients with PAD is needed.

The Patency of Tibial/Peroneal Arteries Affects the Increment of Regional Tissue Saturation of Oxygen in Each Angiosome after Superficial Femoral Artery Revascularization

Objective: The angiosome model is a controversial concept in the revascularization of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). The aim of this study was to demonstrate the importance of patency of the tibial/peroneal arteries for regional tissue oxygenation in each angiosome during endovascular therapy (EVT) of the superficial femoral artery (SFA).

Materials and Methods: We devised a novel near-infrared spectroscopy oximeter, “TOE-20,” for real-time monitoring of regional tissue oxygen saturation (rSO₂). Using TOE-20, we prospectively assessed rSO₂ at each angiosome in 23 CLTI patients who underwent successful revascularization of the SFA. During EVT, three sensor probes were placed at the dorsal foot, plantar foot, and outer ankle for rSO₂ monitoring.

Results: At the end of EVT, rSO₂ at all angiosomes was significantly elevated by SFA revascularization. The change in rSO₂ in each angiosome was larger in patients with patent relevant arteries than in those with occluded relevant arteries (i.e., anterior tibial artery patency, posterior tibial artery patency, and peroneal artery patency).

Conclusion: The patency of the tibial/peroneal arteries is important for regional tissue oxygenation in EVT. Using TOE-20 and rSO₂-based revascularization, it may possible to anticipate whether an ischemic ulcer will heal or not.

Toe-brachial index is beyond a peripheral issue in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes. We aimed to evaluate the association between ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe-brachial index (TBI) with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

METHODS

This cross sectional study included 296 patients with T2DM who met the American Diabetes Association criteria for the assessment of peripheral arterial atherosclerosis. The ABI ≤ 0.9 and TBI ≤ 0.7 were considered as abnormal values. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between TBI/ABI and CIMT.

RESULTS

Right CIMT was significantly greater in the low TBI group (p = 0.03) while, left CIMT did not show a significant difference. Each 0.1-unit decrease in TBI value was independently associated with 0.017 mm increase in the right CIMT (β ± SE; -0.017 ± 0.005, p = 0.002) and with odds of the presence of increased CIMT [odds ratio and 95% confidence interval: 1.21 (1.02, 1.44)] after adjustment with all traditional risk factors. There was not any significant association between ABI and increased CIMT.

CONCLUSIONS

Beyond a suitable tool for the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease in patients with T2DM, TBI can be applied for prediction of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

A Pilot Study Investigating the Use of Regional Oxygen Saturation as a Predictor of Ischemic Wound Healing Outcome after Endovascular Treatment in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Objective: To determine the prognostic value of regional tissue oxygenation saturation (rSO₂) for ulcer healing after endovascular treatment (EVT) of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Materials and Methods: Among PAD patients, 34 patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia underwent EVT for limb salvage. We retrospectively analyzed the cutoff rSO₂ values on postoperative day 1 to predict ulcer healing and patient prognosis. Skin perfusion pressure (SPP) and transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO₂) were also used to assess wound healing.

Results: A finger-mounted tissue oximeter can easily measure rSO₂ on the dorsal foot. Among the 34 patients, the ulcer healed in 25, and no changes were observed in 2 patients at 1 month after EVT. However, 7 patients needed major amputation at the same time. Wound healing was achieved in all patients with rSO₂≥50%. With this cutoff, the sensitivity and specificity of the new device for wound healing were 100% and 64%, respectively. In all the wound healing cases, SPP was ≥45 mmHg, and TcPO₂ was ≥40 mmHg.

Conclusion: To assess limb ischemia, rSO₂ can be measured quickly and easily using this device. We suggest that an rSO₂>50% shows good prognosis for ulcer healing.

Prognostic Value of Radiotracer-Based Perfusion Imaging in Critical Limb Ischemia Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Revascularization

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) imaging of angiosome foot perfusion for predicting amputation outcomes in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and diabetes mellitus (DM).

BACKGROUND

Radiotracer imaging can assess microvascular foot perfusion and identify regional perfusion abnormalities in patients with critical limb ischemia CLI and DM, but the relationship between perfusion response to revascularization and subsequent clinical outcomes has not been evaluated.

METHODS

Patients with CLI, DM, and nonhealing foot ulcers (n = 25) were prospectively enrolled for SPECT/CT perfusion imaging of the feet before and after revascularization. CT images were used to segment angiosomes (i.e., 3-dimensional vascular territories) of the foot. Relative changes in radiotracer uptake after revascularization were evaluated within the ulcerated angiosome. Incidence of amputation was assessed at 3 and 12 months after revascularization.

RESULTS

SPECT/CT detected a significantly lower microvascular perfusion response for patients who underwent amputation compared with those who remained amputation free at 3 (p = 0.01) and 12 (p = 0.01) months after revascularization. The cutoff percent change in perfusion for predicting amputation at 3 months was 7.55%, and 11.56% at 12 months. The area under the curve based on the amputation outcome was 0.799 at 3 months and 0.833 at 12 months. The probability of amputation-free survival was significantly higher at 3 (p = 0.002) and 12 months (p = 0.03) for high-perfusion responders than low-perfusion responders to revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

SPECT/CT imaging detects regional perfusion responses to lower extremity revascularization and provides prognostic value in patients with CLI (Radiotracer-Based Perfusion Imaging of Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease; NCT03622359).

Use of the ankle-brachial index combined with the percentage of mean arterial pressure at the ankle to improve prediction of all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus: an observational study

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the lower extremities is a common complication of type 2 diabetes and has been shown to be associated with mortality. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a simple noninvasive method to screen PAD, but this method has limited sensitivity. We hypothesized that using the percentage of mean arterial pressure (%MAP) in combination with the ABI would improve the prediction of mortality.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from patients with type 2 diabetes who had undergone ABI and  %MAP measurements at our hospital. We separated the cohort into four groups according to their ABI and  %MAP values, and we examined whether these indices were associated with mortality.

Results

A total of 5569 patients (mean age, 65 ± 11 years) were enrolled. During the follow-up period (median, 22.9 months), 266 (4.8%) of the enrolled patients died. The combination of ABI and  %MAP was significantly more effective than ABI alone for predicting mortality (C index of 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] of 0.57 to 0.65 vs. C index of 0.57, 95% CI of 0.53 to 0.62; P = 0.038). In multivariate analysis (with a reference group defined by ABI > 0.90 and  %MAP ≤ 45%), the highest risk of mortality was seen in patients with ABI ≤ 0.90 and  %MAP > 45% (hazard ratio = 2.045 [95% CI 1.420, 2.945], P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The use of  %MAP alongside ABI appears to significantly improve the prediction of all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Contemporary Management of Acute Lower Limb Ischemia: Determinants of Treatment Choice

The role of endovascular procedures in the treatment of acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) is expanding. For treatment, the choice between surgical or endovascular is still debated. The aim of this study was to identify factors that determine the selection of treatment. This study included 307 ALI patients (209 with thrombosis). Patient details, factors affecting the procedure choice, and outcomes were analyzed. The majority of patients were operated on (52.4%). Surgery was more frequent in embolic patients with embolus (odds ratio (OR) 33.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.22–184.19, p < 0.0001), severe ischemia (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.2–2.66, p = 0.0041), and active cancer (OR 4.99; 95% CI 1.26–19.72, p = 0.02). Tibial arteries involvement was negatively related to surgery (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.06–0.95, p = 0.04). The complications and amputation rates were comparable. Reinterventions were more common in the endovascular group (19 (20.2%) vs. 17 (8.9%), p = 0.007). The six-month mortality was higher in the operated patients (12.6% vs. 3.2%, respectively, p = 0.001). The determinants of the treatment path are ischemia severity, concurrent cancer, embolus, and peripheral lesion location. Modification of the Rutherford acute lower limb ischemia classification is required to improve the decision-making in patients with profound ischemia.

Target region oxygenation-based endovascular treatment in a chronic limb-threatening ischemia patient with multifocal arterial diseases

Patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia often have multiple segmental diseases requiring revascularization. However, there is no defined milestone to indicate sufficient endovascular treatment (EVT). Using multiple near-infrared spectroscopic oximeters, we intraoperatively monitored regional tissue oxygen saturation (rSO₂) to perform target region oxygenation-based EVT for a patient with chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Stent placement at the superficial femoral artery and angioplasty of the tibioperoneal trunk enabled rSO₂ in the target ischemic regions (dorsal foot and heel) to be >50% for ulcer healing. We herein describe target region oxygenation-based EVT with rSO₂ monitoring as an effective strategy for performing the minimum requisite procedures.

Current review with evolving management strategies in critical limb ischemia

Critical limb ischemia represents the end stage of peripheral artery disease, which is associated with impaired quality of life and considerable morbidity and mortality. Economical impact of the disease is huge with a substantial burden on patients, healthcare providers, and resources. Varied therapeutic strategies have been employed in the management of these patients. These patients usually have complex multilevel occlusive arteriopathy with significant comorbidities, rendering surgical interventions undesirable in many cases. Recent therapeutic advances with evolving endovascular techniques and gene or cell-based therapies have the potential to dramatically change the therapeutic outlook in these patients.

Peripheral arterial disease screening and diagnostic practice: A scoping review

Early reliable, valid screening, diagnosis, and treatment improve peripheral arterial disease outcomes, yet screening and diagnostic practices vary across settings and specialties. A scoping literature review described reliability and validity of peripheral ischaemia diagnosis or screening tools. Clinical studies in the PUBMED database January 1, 1970, to August 13, 2018, were reviewed summarising ranges of reliability and validity of peripheral ischaemia diagnostic and screening tools for patients with non-neuropathic lower leg ischaemia. Peripheral ischaemia screening and diagnostic practices varied in parameters measured such as timing, frequency, setting, ordering clinicians, degree of invasiveness, costs, definitions, and cut-off points informing clinical and referral decisions. Traditional ankle/brachial systolic blood pressure index <0.9 was a reliable, valid lower leg ischaemia screening test to trigger specialist referral for detailed diagnosis. For patients with advanced peripheral ischaemia or calcified arteries, toe-brachial index, claudication, or invasive angiographic imaging techniques that can have complications were reliable, valid screening, and diagnostic tools to inform management decisions. Ankle/brachial index testing is sufficiently reliable and valid for use during routine examinations to improve timing and consistency of peripheral ischaemia screening, triggering prompt specialist referral for more reliable, accurate Doppler, or other diagnosis to inform treatment decisions.

Vascular Tests for Dermatologists

Dermatologists encounter patients with a variety of lower extremity ulcers including those related to venous insufficiency and peripheral arterial disease. Vascular studies, including ankle brachial pressure index, toe pressure, toe brachial index, Doppler arterial waveform, Duplex ultrasonography, and angiography, play an essential role in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of vascular diseases. In fact, dermatologists are often the first medical providers to see patients with complex vascular conditions. Knowledge of the appropriate indications, interpretations, limitations, and advantages of the various vascular studies is critical to the successful and swift management of each patient presenting with a lower extremity ulcer. This study reviews the most commonly ordered arterial and venous studies and discusses the appropriate indications and interpretation of these studies.

Assessment of Age-related Oxygenation Changes in Calf Skeletal Muscle by Photoacoustic Imaging: A Potential Tool for Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral artery disease is often asymptomatic, and various imaging and nonimaging techniques have been used for assessment and monitoring treatments. This study is designed to demonstrate the ability of photoacoustic imaging to noninvasively determine changes in tissue oxygenation that occur in mice's hind limb skeletal muscle as they age. Mice from two age cohorts were scanned bilaterally with a pulsed laser. The photoacoustic signal was unmixed to generate a parametric map of estimated oxygen saturation and then overlaid on grayscale ultrasound images. Tissue oxygenation measured in young and old mice was compared. Photoacoustic imaging visually and quantitatively showed the decrease in skeletal muscle oxygenation that occurs with age. Percent tissue oxygenation decreased from 30.2% to 3.5% (p < 0.05). This reduction corresponded to reduced fractional area of oxygenation, which decreased from 60.6% to 6.0% (p < 0.05). The change in oxygenation capacity of the still active vascular regions was insignificant (p > 0.05). Intrasubject, intra-, and interobserver comparisons showed low variability in measurements, exhibited by high regression and intraclass correlations exceeding 0.81 for all ages. The decrease in oxygenation detected by photoacoustic imaging paralleled the known oxygenation decrease observed in aging tissues, demonstrating that photoacoustic imaging can assess age-related changes in a mouse calf muscle. These intramuscular changes could potentially act as a strong diagnostic marker for peripheral artery disease. This study thus opens the doors for a novel, affordable, noninvasive method of evaluation free of radiation or exogenous material.

Optimizing Results in Diabetic Charcot Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the diabetic Charcot foot can be a challenge even for the most experienced foot and ankle surgeon. The first portion of this article discusses the preoperative evaluation with an emphasis on factors that can be modified before surgical reconstruction to help optimize surgical results. The second portion of the article focuses on intraoperative methods and techniques to help improve postoperative outcomes. Surgeons should strive to provide high-quality, cost-effective care by optimizing patient selection and perioperative care. Objective measures of patient outcomes will become increasingly important with the transition from volume-based to value-based care.

Utility of a Finger-Mounted Tissue Oximeter with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to Evaluate Limb Ischemia in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Objective: To investigate whether a finger-mounted tissue oximeter is useful in evaluating limb blood flow in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Materials and Methods: Seventy-two patients with PAD were included, and the ankle-brachial index (ABI), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO₂), and skin perfusion pressure (SPP) were measured. The regional tissue oxygenation saturation (rSO₂) was measured using a finger-mounted tissue oximeter at the ankle, dorsal foot, and each dorsal and plantar toe. Correlations between rSO₂ and ABI and between TcPO₂ and SPP were analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups: Fontaine IIa (F-IIa), IIb (F-IIb), and III and IV (F-III/IV) groups. The difference in rSO₂ between each group was analyzed.

Results: Significant correlations were observed between rSO₂ and TcPO₂ and between rSO₂ and SPP. TcPO₂ and SPP in the F-III/IV group were significantly lower than those in the F-IIa group. rSO₂ in the F-IIb and F-III/IV groups was significantly lower than that in the F-IIa group.

Conclusion: The measurement of rSO₂ using finger-mounted tissue oximetry is quick, simple, and painless. It can be used on any skin area and is useful to evaluate limb circulation in patients with PAD.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Lower Extremity Arterial Revascularization-Post-Therapy Imaging

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects millions across the world and in the United States between 9% to 23% of all patients older than 55 years. The refinement of surgical techniques and evolution of endovascular approaches have improved the success rates of revascularization in patients afflicted by lower extremity PAD. However, restenosis or occlusion of previously treated vessels remains a pervasive issue in the postoperative setting. A variety of different imaging options are available to evaluate patients and are reviewed within the context of asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with PAD who have previously undergone endovascular or surgical revascularization. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Noninvasive Arterial Testing: What and When to Use

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) represents a growing public health issue that continues to be underdiagnosed. In its most severe form, critical limb ischemia, it contributes to expanding morbidity with minor and major limb amputations. PAD is strongly associated with increased mortality, as it is known to be concomitant with coronary and cerebrovascular disease. Diagnosis of PAD relies on noninvasive arterial testing, a class of tests that can provide physiologic or morphologic information. Physiologic tests such as ankle-brachial index, toe-brachial index, pulse volume recordings, and arterial duplex evaluation are the mainstay of gateway evaluation and surveillance. Morphologic exams such as computer tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance angiography are appropriate for preprocedural anatomic evaluation in patients with established vascular disease. This review focuses on physiologic exams.

Influence of environmental tobacco smoke on morphology and functions of cardiovascular system assessed using diagnostic imaging

Exposure to tobacco smoke is a significant problem of environmental medicine. Tobacco smoke contains over one thousand identified chemicals including numerous toxicants. Cardiovascular system diseases are the major cause of general mortality. The recent development of diagnostic imaging provided methods which enable faster and more precise diagnosis of numerous diseases, also those of cardiovascular system. This paper reviews the most significant scientific research concerning relationship between environmental exposure to tobacco smoke and the morphology and function of cardiovascular system carried out using diagnostic imaging methods, i.e. ultrasonography, angiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In the forthcoming future, the studies using current diagnostic imaging methods should contribute to the reliable documentation, followed by the wide-spreading knowledge of the harmful impact of the environmental tobacco smoke exposure on the cardiovascular system.

Efficacy of Cellular Therapy for Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

Diabetes mellitus is a widely spread chronic disease with growing incidence worldwide, and diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. Cellular therapy has shown promise in the management of diabetic foot ulcer in many preclinical experiments and clinical researches. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cellular therapy in the management of diabetic foot ulcer. We systematically searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to May 2017 for randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of cellular therapy in diabetic foot ulcer, and a meta-analysis was conducted. A total of 6 randomized controlled clinical trials involving 241 individuals were included in this meta-analysis. The results suggested that cellular therapy could help accelerating the healing of diabetic foot ulcer, presented as higher ankle-brachial index (mean difference = 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.11 to 0.23), higher transcutaneous oxygen pressure (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.43; 95% CI, 1.09– to 1.78), higher ulcer healing rate (relative risk [RR] = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.41 to 2.25), higher amputation-free survival (RR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.40), and lower scale of pain (SMD = −1.69; 95% CI, −2.05 to −1.33). Furthermore, cellular therapy seemed to be safe, with no serious complications and low risk of short-term slight complications. Cellular therapy could accelerate the rate of diabetic foot ulcer healing and may be more efficient than standard therapy for diabetic foot treatment.

Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus: From Genome to Disease Management

Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) is a serious maize pathogen, epidemic worldwide, and one of the most common virus diseases for monocotyledonous plants, causing up to 70% loss in corn yield globally since 1960. MDMV belongs to the genus Potyvirus (Potyviridae) and was first identified in 1964 in Illinois in corn and Johnsongrass. MDMV is a single stranded positive sense RNA virus and is transmitted in a non-persistent manner by several aphid species. MDMV is amongst the most important virus diseases in maize worldwide. This review will discuss its genome, transmission, symptomatology, diagnosis and management. Particular emphasis will be given to the current state of knowledge on the diagnosis and control of MDMV, due to its importance in reducing the impact of maize dwarf mosaic disease, to produce an enhanced quality and quantity of maize.

Combination of the ankle-brachial index and percentage of mean arterial pressure to improve diagnostic sensitivity for peripheral artery disease: An observational study

The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a noninvasive method for screening for peripheral artery disease (PAD). However, false-negative findings of the ABI may limit its clinical use. The percentage of mean arterial pressure (%MAP) calculated from pulse volume recording has been reported to predict all-cause mortality. We hypothesized that the %MAP would be helpful to screen for PAD in subjects with a normal ABI. We examined whether using a combination of the ABI and %MAP would provide greater diagnostic sensitivity for PAD than using the ABI alone.In this cross-sectional study, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who had undergone multiple detector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography of the lower extremities following measurement of the ABI with pulse volume recording. PAD was diagnosed based on MDCT angiography.A total of 215 lower extremities of 114 patients were included in our analyses. An optimal cut-off %MAP value of 42.5% was used to diagnose PAD based on MDCT in patients with an ABI > 0.90. Using a combination of an ABI < 0.90 and a %MAP ≥ 42.5% as diagnostic criteria for PAD resulted in better sensitivity (76.9%) than using the ABI alone (56.5% for an ABI < 0.90 and 63.4% for an ABI < 1.00). Using logistic regression analysis, we found that patients having both an ABI < 0.90 and an ABI > 0.90 with a %MAP ≥ 42.5% had a significantly higher risk of PAD than those having an ABI > 0.90 with a %MAP < 42.5% (odds ratio = 7.165, P = .006; odds ratio = 12.544, P < .001; respectively).Both the sensitivity and specificity were better when using a combination of an ABI ≤ 0.90 and a %MAP ≥ 42.5% than when using a low or borderline ABI. The %MAP is helpful for PAD screening in subjects with an ABI > 0.90.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Iliac Artery Occlusive Disease

Iliac artery occlusive disease can present as a sudden-onset acute thrombotic or thromboembolic event or as a chronic progressive atherosclerotic process that presents as claudication progressing to rest pain. Depending on the clinical presentation, the diagnosis is usually confirmed through Doppler vascular ultrasound, CT angiography, or MR angiography; the choice of imaging is usually based on modality availability and the presence of patient comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease. The Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II classification system is commonly used to describe the extent of the peripheral vascular disease. Depending on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and radiologic extent of the disease process, therapeutic options for acute thrombotic cases can include supportive care, anticoagulation, thrombolytic therapy, surgical or catheter-directed mechanical thrombectomy, and surgical bypass. Therapeutic options for atherosclerotic disease include supportive measures such as behavior modification, a supervised exercise program, adjunctive treatment with anticoagulation and antiplatelet medications, angioplasty, stent placement, stent-graft placement, surgical or catheter-directed endarterectomy or plaque excision, and surgical bypass. This document describes the appropriateness of imaging in this patient population, treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios, and the likely prognosis for these patients. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

A Comparison of Outcomes in Patients with Infrapopliteal Disease Randomised to Vein Bypass or Plain Balloon Angioplasty in the Bypass vs. Angioplasty in Severe Ischaemia of the Leg (BASIL) Trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to compare outcomes in a subgroup of patients with infrapopliteal (IP) disease randomised to infrapopliteal vein bypass (VB) or plain balloon angioplasty (PBA) in the original BASIL trial.

METHODS

A comparison of outcomes from patients randomised to VB or PBA undergoing revascularisation for severe limb ischaemia (SLI) because of IP disease with or without femoropopliteal disease. Data were extracted from case report forms from the BASIL trial. The primary outcome was amputation free survival (AFS); secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), 30 day mortality and morbidity, freedom from arterial re-intervention, immediate technical success, repeat and crossover interventions, length of hospital stay, and quality of revascularisation.

RESULTS

A total of 104 patients were identified in the BASIL study with IP disease, 56 randomised to IP VB, and 48 to IP PBA. Groups were similar at baseline except for more chronic kidney disease and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the VB group, and more previous surgical arterial intervention and antihypertensive use in the PBA group. There were no statistically significant differences in AFS or OS; however, clinically important trends were apparent in favour of a VB first strategy. Patients allocated to VB demonstrated significantly quicker relief of rest pain when compared with PBA (p = .005), but no significant differences in improved tissue healing. Median length of index hospital admission was significantly greater in the VB than in the PBA group (18 vs. 10 days, p < .0001) but there was no difference between the two groups in median total hospital stay between randomisation and the primary endpoint (VB 43.5 vs. PBA 42 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Further randomised trials, like BASIL-2 and BEST-CLI, are required to determine whether patients with severe limb ischaemia who require IP revascularisation and who are suitable for VB should have bypass or endovascular intervention as their primary revascularisation procedure.

Surrogate and clinical endpoints for studies in peripheral artery occlusive disease: Are statistics the brakes?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this review is to present the available clinical and surrogate endpoints that may be used in future studies performed in patients with peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD). Importantly, we describe statistical limitations of the most commonly used endpoints and offer some guidance with respect to study design for a given sample size. The proposed endpoints may be used in studies using surgical or interventional revascularization and/or drug treatments.

METHODS

Considering recently published study endpoints and designs, the usefulness of these endpoints for reimbursement is evaluated. Based on these potential study endpoints and patient sample size estimates with different non-inferiority or tests for difference hypotheses, a rating relative to their corresponding reimbursement values is attempted.

RESULTS

As regards the benefit for the patients and for the payers, walking distance and the ankle brachial index (ABI) are the most feasible endpoints in a relatively small study samples given that other non-vascular impact factors can be controlled. Angiographic endpoints such as minimal lumen diameter (MLD) do not seem useful from a reimbursement standpoint despite their intuitiveness. Other surrogate endpoints, such as transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements, have yet to be established as useful endpoints in reasonably sized studies with patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI).

CONCLUSIONS

From a reimbursement standpoint, WD and ABI are effective endpoints for a moderate study sample size given that non-vascular confounding factors can be controlled.

Novel assessment tool based on laser speckle contrast imaging to diagnose severe ischemia in the lower limb for patients with peripheral arterial disease

Objective

We propose a new assessment tool to diagnose severe ischemia of the lower limb in peripheral arterial disease, using laser speckle contrast imaging to evaluate heating‐induced microcirculatory fluctuations in the proximal and distal sites of the dorsal foot.

Study Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

We recorded the slope describing the behavior of perfusion values (decrease or plateau) following the initial, heating‐induced increase in perfusion in 63 feet of patients with clinical signs of peripheral arterial disease.

Results

The plateau and decrease groups were defined as having perfusion slopes of <0.20 and ≥0.20 PU/min, respectively. Transcutaneous oxygen tension was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the plateau than in the decrease group (8 vs. 45 mmHg), indicating more severe ischemia. The laser speckle contrast imaging thermal load test discriminated transcutaneous oxygen tension <30 mmHg with good sensitivity (78.7%) and specificity (96.2%), and an area under the curve of 0.908.

Conclusions

Both transcutaneous oxygen tension and the laser speckle contrast imaging thermal load test are useful in diagnosing severe ischemia in the foot. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:645–651, 2017. © 2017. The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Single Session of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Enhances Vascular Endothelial Function and Peripheral Blood Circulation in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

This study aimed to investigate whether a single session of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can enhance vascular endothelial function and peripheral blood circulation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Thirty-four male patients with AMI were alternately assigned to 2 groups, and received NMES with muscle contraction (NMES group, n = 17) or without muscle contraction (control group, n = 17) after admission. NMES was performed for quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles of both legs for 30 minutes. We measured systolic blood pressure as a parameter of cardiovascular responses and the low-frequency component of blood pressure variability as an index of sympathetic activity. Reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) index and transcutaneous oxygen pressure in foot (Foot-tcPO₂) were also measured as parameters of vascular endothelial function and peripheral blood circulation, respectively. All patients completed the study without severe adverse events. Systolic blood pressure and the low-frequency component increased significantly during the NMES session in both groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). However, elevation from systolic blood pressure at rest was < 10 mmHg in both groups. In the NMES group, the RH-PAT index and Foot-tcPO₂ increased significantly after NMES (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). No significant changes were observed in these parameters throughout the session in the control group. In conclusion, a single session of NMES with muscle contraction enhanced vascular endothelial function, leading to improvement in peripheral blood circulation without inducing excessive cardiovascular and autonomic responses in patients with AMI (UMIN000014196).

Determining End Points for Critical Limb Ischemia Interventions

Critical limb ischemia is a condition that has increased in prevalence and carries a high degree of morbidity. Although endovascular therapy for treatment of patients with critical limb ischemia has undergone significant advances with improved outcomes over the past decade, these patients often have multilevel disease, and it may take weeks or months for ulceration healing. For this reason, the acceptable therapeutic end points during and immediately following revascularization remain somewhat obscure. There are multiple tools available to guide the treating vascular specialist in this regard. Establishment of in-line flow to the foot and the angiosome containing the ulceration, appearance of a "wound blush," restoration of pulses, and bleeding at the ulcer site are basic tenets intraprocedurally. Postprocedural noninvasive testing including the ankle-brachial and toe-brachial indices, segmental pressure measurements, pulse volume recordings, transcutaneous oxygen tension, skin perfusion pressures (SPPs), and toe pressures all play a role in determining the likelihood of clinical improvement. Newer technologies such as two-dimensional (2D) perfusion angiography, fluorescence angiography, and tissue oxygen saturation mapping may allow better real-time assessment of flow restoration. In combination with close clinical follow-up and wound care, these tools provide treating physicians with a better grasp of the necessary end points to optimize patients for clinical improvement.

Relationship between percentage of mean arterial pressure at the ankle and mortality in participants with normal ankle-brachial index: an observational study

OBJECTIVES

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with all-cause mortality. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is the most widely used tool for detecting PAD, but can yield false-negative results in patients with non-compressible vessels. Pulse volume recording may be an alternative tool for assessing PAD in such patients. However, the association between pulse volume recording and all-cause mortality has seldom been reported. We hypothesised that the percentage of mean arterial pressure (%MAP) and upstroke time (UT), which are indexes of the arterial wave obtained on pulse volume recording, can predict mortality.

DESIGN

We conducted this as a retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Data were collected from the Taichung Veterans General Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

We included 314 participants with complete data on ABI and pulse volume recording performed between June 2007 and November 2011.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

Mortality data served as the follow-up outcome. Mortality data were obtained from the Collaboration Center of Health Information Application, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Executive Yuan, Taiwan.

RESULTS

Participants with ABI ≤ 0.9 showed a highest mortality rate (p<0.001 in the log-rank test), but the mortality rate was not significantly different between participants with 0.9<ABI≤1.1 and those with 1.1<ABI≤1.3 (p=0.553). Among the participants with 0.9<ABI≤1.3, the high %MAP (>45%) group showed a higher risk of all-cause mortality than the low %MAP (≤ 45%) group (HR=5.389, p=0.004) after adjustment for ABI, pulse wave velocity, UT, age, sex, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

We thus demonstrated that a high %MAP based on pulse volume recording in participants with 0.9<ABI≤1.3 could predict all-cause mortality during 20.3 months of follow-up.

Can macrocirculation changes predict nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers?

PURPOSE

Transcutaneous partial oxygen tension (TcpO2) is considered the gold standard for assessment of tissue oxygenation, which is an essential factor for wound healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between macrocirculation and TcpO2 in persons with diabetes mellitus.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

Ninety-eight patients with diabetic foot ulcers participated in the study (61 men and 37 women). The subjects had a mean age of 66.6 years (range, 30-83 years) and were treated at the Diabetic Wound Center of Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

METHODS

Macrocirculation was evaluated using 2 techniques: computed tomographic angiography and Doppler ultrasound. Macrocirculation scores were based on the patency of the two tibial arteries in 98 patients. Computed tomographic angiography and Doppler ultrasound scores (0-4 points) were given according to intraluminal filling defects and arterial pulse waveform of each vessel, respectively. Tissue oxygenation was measured by TcpO2. Macrocirculation scores were statistically analyzed as a function of the TcpO2.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis revealed no significant linear trend between the macrocirculation status and TcpO2. Biavariate analysis using the Fisher exact test, Mantel-Haenszel tests, and McNemar-Bowker tests also found no significant relationship between macrocirculation and TcpO2.

CONCLUSIONS

Computed tomographic angiography and Doppler ultrasound are not sufficiently reliable substitutes for TcpO2 measurements in regard to determining the optimal treatment for diabetic patients.

Noninvasive Arterial Testing in Patients With Diabetes: A Guide for Foot and Ankle Surgeons

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to compare the findings of noninvasive arterial testing in patients with and without diabetic foot pathology.

METHODS

The ABI (ankle brachial index), TBI (toe brachial index), and great toe pressures were measured in 207 patients. PAD (peripheral artery disease) was defined as an ABI < 0.91 on either extremity or a TBI < 0.7.

RESULTS

PAD was identified in 103 of the 207 patients (49.8%), 80 patients with diabetic foot pathology and 23 patients with nondiabetic foot pathology. Although patients with diabetic foot pathology were 1.4 times more likely to have PAD compared to patients without diabetic pathology, this increased risk was not statistically significant (OR 1.41 [95% CI 0.75-2.64], P = .28). Patients with PAD and diabetic foot pathology were 4.9 times more likely to have ischemia (toe pressure < 60 mm Hg) than patients with PAD and nondiabetic foot pathology (OR 4.93 [95% CI 1.35-17.94], P < .05). Patients on dialysis had a 7.3 times increased likelihood of having PAD compared to patients not on dialysis (OR 7.3 [95% CI 1.6-33.6], P < .01). Patients with absent pedal pulses were 4.9 more likely to have PAD than patients with normal pulses (OR 4.9 [95% CI 2.6-9.4], P < .0001). PAD was identified in 97 of 188 patients (51.6%) with peripheral neuropathy compared to 6 of 19 patients (31.5%) without peripheral neuropathy (OR 2.31 [95% CI 0.84-6.33], P = .10).

CONCLUSIONS

Combining the ABI with TBI improved the ability to diagnose PAD in diabetic patients because the ABI has high specificity (low false positives) and the TBI has high sensitivity (low false negatives). The TBI was more reliable in patients with noncompressible arteries, medial artery calcinosis and/or neuropathy. Due to the relative incompressibility of calcified distal arteries in patients with DM, the ABI may be within normal limits in patients with PAD. This false negative result may lead surgeons to assume that normal perfusion is present.

Autologous immuno magnetically selected CD133+ stem cells in the treatment of no-option critical limb ischemia: clinical and contrast enhanced ultrasound assessed results in eight patients

Objectives

Demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of highly purified CD133+ autologous stem cells in critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Design

Prospective single-center not randomized. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01595776

Methods

Eight patients with a history of stable CLI were enrolled in a period of 2 years. After bone marrow stimulation and single leukapheresis collection, CD133+ immunomagnetic cell selection was performed. CD133+ cells in buffer phosphate suspension was administered intramuscularly. Muscular and arterial contrast enhanced ultra sound (CEUS), lesion evolution and pain management were assessed preoperatively and 3, 6 and 12 months after the implant.

Results

No patient had early or late complications related to the procedure. Two patients (25 %) didn’t get any relief from the treatment and underwent major amputation. Six patients (75 %) had a complete healing of the wounds, rest pain cessation and walking recovery. An increase in CEUS values was shown in all eight patients at 6 months and in the six clinical healed patients at 12 months and had statistical relevance.

Conclusions

Highly purified autologous CD133+ cells can stimulate neo-angiogenesis, as based on clinical and CEUS data.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-015-0697-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Preventing and treating foot complications associated with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is associated with a series of macrovascular and microvascular changes that can manifest as a wide range of complications. Foot ulcerations affect ∼2-4% of patients with diabetes mellitus. Risk factors for foot lesions include peripheral and autonomic neuropathy, vascular disease and previous foot ulceration, as well as other microvascular complications, such as retinopathy and end-stage renal disease. Ulceration is the result of a combination of components that together lead to tissue breakdown. The most frequently occurring causal pathways to the development of foot ulcers include peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease, foot deformity or trauma. Peripheral vascular disease is often not diagnosed in patients with diabetes mellitus until tissue loss is evident, usually in the form of a nonhealing ulcer. Identification of patients with diabetes mellitus who are at high risk of ulceration is important and can be achieved via annual foot screening with subsequent multidisciplinary foot-care interventions. Understanding the factors that place patients with diabetes mellitus at high risk of ulceration, together with an appreciation of the links between different aspects of the disease process, is essential to the prevention and management of diabetic foot complications.

Prognosis of critical limb ischemia: Major vs. minor amputation comparison

Healthcare providers treating wounds have difficulties assessing the prognosis of patients with critical limb ischemia who had been discharged after complete healing of major amputation wounds. The word "major" in "major amputation" gives the impression of "being more severe" than "minor amputation." Therefore, even if wounds are healed after major amputation, they imagine that prognosis after major amputation would be poorer than that after minor amputation. We investigated the prognosis of diabetic nephropathy patients 2 years after amputations. Those patients underwent dialysis as well as amputation following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for their foot wounds. They were ambulatory prior to these surgeries. Among 56 cases of minor amputation, 45 were males and 11 were females, and mortality was 41.1%. The mortality of cases with and without a coronary intervention history was 53.1% and 25.0%, respectively (p = 0.034). Among 10 cases of major amputation, 9 were males and 1 was female, and mortality was 60%. The mortality of cases with and without a coronary intervention history was 75.0% and 0%, respectively. Although we predicted poor prognosis in cases with major amputation, there was no significant difference in mortality 2 years after amputations (p = 0.267). Thus far poor prognosis has been reported for major amputation. It might be due to inclusion of the following patients: patients with wounds proximal to ankle joints, patients with extensive gangrene spreading to the lower legs, patients with septicemia from wound infection and who died around the time of operation, and patients with malnutrition. The results of our present study showed that the outcomes at 2 years postoperatively were similar between patients with major amputations and those with minor amputations, if surgical wounds were able to heal. We should not estimate the prognosis by the level of amputation, rather we should consider the effect of coronary intervention history on prognosis.

Multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is frequently diagnosed after permanent damage has occurred, resulting in a high rate of morbidity, amputation, and loss of life. Early and ongoing diagnosis and treatment is required for this progressive disease. Lifestyle modifications can prevent or delay disease progression and improve symptoms. Limb-sparing endovascular interventions can restore circulation based on appropriate diagnostic testing to pinpoint vascular targets, and intervention must occur as early as possible to ensure optimal clinical outcomes. An algorithm for the diagnosis and management of PAD was developed to enable a collaborative approach between the family practice and primary care physician or internist and various specialists that may include a diabetologist, endocrinologist, smoking cessation expert, hypertension and lipid specialist, endovascular interventionalist, vascular surgeon, orthopedist, neurologist, nurse practitioner, podiatrist, wound healing expert, and/or others. A multidisciplinary team working together has the greatest chance of providing optimal care for the patient with PAD and ensuring ongoing surveillance of the patient’s overall health, ultimately resulting in better quality of life and increased longevity for patients with PAD.

Role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound arterial mapping in surgical planning for patients with critical limb ischemia

The goal of the study described here was to evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) arterial mapping in surgical planning in cases of critical limb ischemia. From March 2007 to December 2012, 565 consecutive patients with critical limb ischemia of the lower limbs were treated and initially examined with only ultrasound (US) arterial mapping. For 479 of the 565 patients, basic US examination results were deemed sufficient for surgical planning (group A). That is, US examination provided sufficient information to decide a surgical plan to treat those patients. In the remaining 86 patients, basic US examination was insufficient for revascularization planning, and CEUS examination was performed (group B). In 5 cases, CEUS results were also insufficient for surgical planning, as a suitable outflow vessel was not visualized. In these cases, a pre-operative arteriogram was performed. To assess the usefulness of CEUS, we compared results of examinations with and without contrast administration, surgical findings and angiographic findings when available. Data were collected prospectively. Examinations were compared by establishing the degree of agreement between results of paired examinations and degree of agreement between CEUS results and surgical findings. Clinical, hemodynamic (ankle-brachial index) and duplex follow-up was performed at 1 and 3 mo to evaluate cumulative patency of the procedures in each group. Within group B, degree of agreement between basic US and CEUS was 46.5%. CEUS resulted in a change in the surgical plan in 46 of 86 patients. Among all 565 patients, degree of agreement between surgical decision based on basic ultrasound arterial mapping and final decision based on surgical findings was 87.1%, and improved to 95.2% with CEUS (p = 0.00001, κ index = 0.823). Degree of agreement between the ultrasound-based decision and surgical findings was 97.5% in group A (κ index = 0.818) and 94.2% in group B (κ = 0.848). There was no significant difference between groups (p = 0.784). Within group B, of the five arteriograms performed, results of only one matched well the US mapping findings. Vessel patency at 1 and 3 mo did not significantly differ between patients whose surgical planning was based on basic US and patients whose planning was based on CEUS (p = 0.418 and p = 0.489, respectively). US arterial mapping is an excellent tool for surgical planning in critical limb ischemia. CEUS arterial mapping improves the accuracy of ultrasound examination in patients with critical limb ischemia, especially in patients with inconclusive non-enhanced exams.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses for more profitable strategies in peripheral artery disease

In the peripheral arteries, a thrombus superimposed on atherosclerosis contributes to the progression of peripheral artery disease (PAD), producing intermittent claudication (IC), ischemic necrosis, and, potentially, loss of the limb. PAD with IC is often undiagnosed and, in turn, undertreated. The low percentage of diagnosis (∼30%) in this setting of PAD is of particular concern because of the potential worsening of PAD (amputation) and the high risk of adverse vascular outcomes (vascular death, coronary artery disease, stroke). A Medline literature search of the highest-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials documents that, due to risk of bias, imprecision, and indirectness, the overall quality of the evidence concerning diagnostic tools and antithrombotic interventions in PAD is generally low. Areas of research emerge from the information collected. Appropriate treatments for PAD patients will only derive from ad-hoc studies. Innovative imaging techniques are needed to identify PAD subjects at the highest vascular risk. Whether IC unresponsive to physical exercise and smoking cessation identifies those with a heritable predisposition to more severe vascular events deserves to be addressed. Devising ways to improve prevention of vascular events in patients with PAD implies a co-ordinated approach in vascular medicine.

Design and application of pulse information acquisition and analysis system with dynamic recognition in traditional Chinese medicine

BACKGROUND

To design the pulse information which includes the parameter of pulse-position, pulse-number, pulse-shape and pulse-force acquisition and analysis system with function of dynamic recognition, and research the digitalization and visualization of some common cardiovascular mechanism of single pulse.

METHODS

To use some flexible sensors to catch the radial artery pressure pulse wave and utilize the high frequency B mode ultrasound scanning technology to synchronously obtain the information of radial extension and axial movement, by the way of dynamic images, then the gathered information was analyzed and processed together with ECG. Finally, the pulse information acquisition and analysis system was established which has the features of visualization and dynamic recognition, and it was applied to serve for ten healthy adults.

RESULTS

The new system overcome the disadvantage of one-dimensional pulse information acquisition and process method which was common used in current research area of pulse diagnosis in traditional Chinese Medicine, initiated a new way of pulse diagnosis which has the new features of dynamic recognition, two-dimensional information acquisition, multiplex signals combination and deep data mining.

CONCLUSIONS

The newly developed system could translate the pulse signals into digital, visual and measurable motion information of vessel.