A comparison of the costs of vascular surgery and balloon dilatation in lower limb ischaemic disease

Cost Analysis of Initial Treatment With Endovascular Revascularization, Open Surgery, or Primary Major Amputation in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Purpose: To compare the total initial treatment costs for open surgery, endovascular revascularization, and primary major amputation within a single-payer healthcare system. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective analysis was undertaken to evaluate 1138 patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) who underwent 1017 endovascular procedures, 86 open surgeries, and 35 major amputations between 2013 and 2016. A cost-mix analysis was performed on individual patient data generated for selected diagnosis-related groups. Mean costs are presented with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: There was no intergroup difference in demographics or private health insurance status. However, the amputation group had a higher proportion of emergency procedures (68.6% vs 13.3% vs 27.9%, p<0.001) and critical limb ischemia (88.6% vs 35.9% vs 37.2%, p<0.001) compared with the endovascular therapy and open surgery groups, respectively. The endovascular revascularization group spent less time in hospital and used fewer intensive care unit (ICU) resources compared with the open surgery and major amputation groups (hospital length of stay: 3.4 vs 10.0 vs 20.2 days, p<0.01; ICU: 2.4 vs 22.6 vs 54.6 hours, p<0.01), respectively. While mean prosthetic and device costs were higher in the endovascular group [AUD$2770 vs AUD$1658 (open) and AUD$1219 (amputation), p<0.01], substantial disparities were observed in costs associated with longer operating theater times, length of stay, and ICU utilization, which resulted in significantly higher costs in the open and amputation groups. After adjusting for confounders, the AUD$18,396 (95% CI AUD$16,436 to AUD$20,356) mean cost per admission for the endovascular revascularization group was significantly less (p<0.001) than the open surgery (AUD$31,908, 95% CI AUD$28,285 to AUD$35,530) and major amputation groups (AUD$43,033, 95% CI AUD$37,706 to AUD$48,361). Conclusion: Endovascular revascularization procedures for PAD cost the health payer less compared with open surgery and primary amputation. While devices used to deliver contemporary endovascular therapy are more expensive, the reduction in bed days, ICU utilization, and related hospital resources results in a significantly lower mean total cost per admission for the initial treatment.

The challenges of treating peripheral arterial disease

Today, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients need effective medical care for an extended period of their lifetime. Therefore, different treatment modalities have to be tied sequentially into an effective therapeutic chain. First, preventive measures have to be reinforced and risk factors tightly controlled. Furthermore, antiplatelet agents have to be applied in every PAD patient to reduce the risk of cardiac and cerebral ischemic events, restenosis or reocclusion after revascularization, and possibly also progression of the PAD itself. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors should be entertained in high-risk groups such as PAD patients with diabetes. In the claudicant, exercise therapy should be strongly encouraged and vasoactive drugs considered for those who are not good candidates for either exercise training or revascularization. In patients with disabling claudication or critical limb ischemia, revascularization procedures are highly effective. Especially for high-grade stenoses or short arterial occlusions, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) should be the method of fi rst choice followed by the best surgical procedure later on. To achieve good long-term effi cacy, a close follow-up including objective tests of both the arterial lesion and hemodynamic status, surveillance of secondary preventive measures and risk factor control is mandatory.

Standards for the Endovascular Management of Aortic Occlusive Disease

Occlusive disease of the infrarenal aorta and aorto-iliac arteries can be safely treated by minimally invasive therapy and is now widely available. The aim of this article is to produce standards for the management of these patients using current endovascular techniques.

Endovascular intervention of aortoiliac occlusive disease in high-risk patients using the kissing stents technique: Long-term results

Endovascular intervention deploying a kissing stents (KS) technique has been used as an alternative to surgical intervention in treating symptomatic aortoiliac occlusive disease. However, the long-term results on high-risk patients are unknown. We retrospectively analyzed data on high-risk patients who underwent endovascular intervention using the KS technique at our institution. Fifty high-risk patients aged 62 +/- 6.4 years with severe aortoiliac stenosis underwent stent-supported angioplasty using the KS technique. Thirty percent of the patients had total occlusion of the distal aorta and/or the iliac arteries. Twelve patients received thrombolytics prior to stenting. The procedure was successful in all 50 patients. There was a 4% acute complication rate (distal embolization). However, there were no vascular complications, myocardial infarction, or perioperative death. Primary patency during follow-up of 20 +/- 12.3 months was 92%, while secondary patency rate was 100%. Amputation-free survival was 100%. Ninety-two percent remained free of lifestyle-limiting claudication.

Cost-effectiveness of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) Versus Vascular Surgery in Limb-threatening Ischaemia

The purpose of this study was to analyze the cost and cost-effectiveness of femoropopliteal PTA compared to femoropopliteal bypass surgery in chronic critical ischaemia of the lower limb. A total of 772 patients were treated either by femoropopliteal PTA or vascular reconstruction in two of the three largest vascular centers in Finland 1991-1992. A subset of 124 cases with chronic critical leg ischaemia, which according to a retrospective independent analysis by a vascular surgeon and a radiologist could have been treated with either modality, were included in the study. Eighty-six of those were treated with PTA and 38 with surgery. The patients were followed up for to three years after treatment. Clinical outcomes were measured as change in the ABI (ankle-brachial pressure index) and avoidance of reoperation and amputation. The hospital costs covering all events from preoperative examinations to the three-year follow-up visit were identified by using hospital discharge register and accounting data. Cost-effectiveness was calculated as cost per reoperation-free year and year of leg saved. Surgery cases were found to have a more severe disease as indicated by lower distal pressures and longer occlusions and they also showed a slightly better clinical outcome, although the differences were not statistically significant. PTA costs were half of those of vascular surgery. The cost-effectiveness rates were significantly better for the PTA patients. PTA is a feasible and cost-effective procedure in chronic critical ischaemia of the lower limb and should be the treatment of choice in the subset of patients where both procedures are possible.

Cost-effectiveness of percutaneous treatment of iliac artery occlusive disease in the United States

OBJECTIVE

The costs of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement for iliac artery occlusive disease in the United States were assessed and the cost-effectiveness was evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life expectancy were estimated using a Markov decision model for a hypothetic cohort of patients with life-style-limiting claudication caused by an iliac artery stenosis for whom a percutaneous intervention was indicated. Various percutaneous treatment strategies were evaluated, each consisting of an initial intervention followed by a secondary intervention. Procedures considered were angioplasty alone and angioplasty with selective stent placement.

RESULTS

From the perspective of the interventional radiology department, angioplasty with selective stent placement costs more than angioplasty alone ($2926 versus $2106). Taking into account follow-up costs and procedures for long-term failures, the cost differential was reduced because of a lower failure rate of selective stent placement ($13,158 versus $12,458, respectively). Treatment strategies using angioplasty with selective stent placement (as an initial procedure or including reintervention) dominated treatment strategies using angioplasty alone (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $7,624-8,519 per quality-adjusted life-year gained).

CONCLUSION

Angioplasty with selective stent placement is a cost-effective treatment strategy compared with angioplasty alone in the treatment of intermittent claudication in the United States.

Projected workload for a vascular service in 2020

OBJECTIVE

to estimate the workload of a vascular service during the next two decades as the proportion of people aged over 65 years increases.

METHODS

the study used the vascular registry data of Tampere University Hospital and the population data of Pirkanmaa region provided by the Central Statistical Office in Finland. The current workload is 1420 vascular procedures per million inhabitants yearly (951 surgical and 207 endovascular). Sixty-five per cent of all procedures are done on people over 65 years old. Pirkanmaa has a population of 440 000 persons of whom 15.6% are over 65 years. According to the population data the population will increase to 460 000 persons by the year 2020 and 22.9% of them will be over 65 years old.

RESULTS

The total amount of procedures will rise by 40.5% (1906) and the increase in endovascular and surgical group will be 39.2% (640) and 43.5% (1265) respectively. The proportion of treated patients over 65 years will rise from 65.0% to 70.5%. In the next two decades the amount of patients with claudication will increase by 35.4%, critical limb ischaemia by 44.2%, carotid surgery by 34.0%, abdominal aortic aneurysms by 40.7%, acute limb ischaemia by 45.0% and access surgery by 27.4%.

CONCLUSION

In the next two decades the number of elderly people will increase so rapidly that, whatever happens to the incidence and prevalence of peripheral vascular disease, the workload for a vascular service will increase significantly.

Costing vascular surgery: A review of current reporting practice

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the level of reporting in economic studies in the area of peripheral vascular disease. Adequate reporting of data is necessary to judge the quality of economic studies by means of critical appraisal criteria.

METHODS

A systematic review of the journal literature between 1986 and the first half of 1997 was undertaken. Studies that have attempted to estimate the resource consequences of one or more vascular procedure were the focus of the review. The extent of reporting in each study was assessed by using published guidelines.

RESULTS

The review identified 30 articles from nine different countries for inclusion in the study. Of these, more than half were published in the last 2(1/2) years of the search period, indicating a recent and rapid growth in economic studies in this area. When subjected to the reporting guidelines, the studies performed rather poorly overall.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the vascular studies can be criticized for inadequate reporting of economic data, it appears from the limited evidence from elsewhere that inadequate reporting is a problem in other clinical areas. In view of the importance of reporting to the ability to critically assess studies-and thus separate the "good" from the "bad"-there is a need for reporting to improve future published studies.

Cost-identification analysis of revascularization procedures on patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine average total in-hospital costs of various revascularization procedures for peripheral arterial occlusive disease; to examine the effect of procedure-related complications and patient characteristics on these costs; and to examine whether costs have changed over time.

METHODS

We collected cost data on all admissions involving one revascularization procedure for peripheral arterial occlusive disease at the Brigham and Women's hospital from 1990 through 1995 (n = 583). The main outcome measures were total costs per admission in 1995 US dollars and length of stay in days.

RESULTS

For each of 12 different procedures identified, total costs per admission varied considerably. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of local and systemic complications and of patient characteristics on total in-hospital costs per admission. The additional cost incurred for fatal systemic complications was $11,675 (P = .004) and for nonfatal systemic complications was $9345 (P < .001). The results demonstrated significant additional costs with management of critical ischemia versus intermittent claudication ($4478, P < .001), presence of coronary artery disease ($1287, P = .05), female sex ($1461, P = .03), and advanced age ($1345, P = .02). No statistically significant changes over time were demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

Total in-hospital costs per admission for peripheral revascularization procedures are highly variable and significantly increased by procedure-related complications, advanced age, female sex, management of critical ischemia, and presence of coronary artery disease.

Exercise testing and exercise rehabilitation for patients with peripheral arterial disease: status in 1997

Intermittent claudication is a common manifestation of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). Patients with claudication are limited in terms of work, housework and leisure activities so that functional status is very impaired. Therefore, the goals for treatment should focus on improving the functional impairment as well as on modifying risk factors. Evaluation of the functional status is of critical importance before beginning any therapy so that any resultant changes can be assessed. A validated graded treadmill protocol and validated questionnaires are used for this purpose. Three questionnaires that are currently used include the Walking Impairment Questionnaire, the PAOD Physical Activity Recall and the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36. Exercise rehabilitation is a method that has been particularly efficacious for treating the functional impairment associated with intermittent claudication. Exercise rehabilitation has been shown to improve pain-free treadmill walking distance by 44% to 300% and absolute walking distance by 25% to 442%. In addition, improvements have also been reported (using questionnaire data) in the ability to walk distances and speeds, in amount of habitual physical activity and in physical functioning. Thus, exercise rehabilitation has caused improvements not only in exercise capacity but also in community-based functional status. Because of the benefits of this treatment, in addition to the low associated morbidity, exercise therapy is recommended as an important treatment option for people with intermittent claudication due to PAOD.

Exercise in the treatment of claudication: assessment and treatment of functional impairment

Claudication is an important cause of impaired exercise capacity, which limits a patient's ability to walk and thus to meet the personal, social and occupational demands of daily life. Given that improvement of the walking impairment is the primary goal of treating claudication, exercise performance and functional status of patients with claudication should be measured before and after any intervention. Assessment of functional status in both the laboratory and community settings is important so that the various treatments can be judged as to relative efficacy. Studies have shown that exercise training programs have a clinically important impact on functional capacity in persons with claudication. A meta-analysis showed that pain-free walking time increased 180% and maximal walking time increased 120% in claudicants who participated in an exercise program. Substantial improvements have been found in walking speeds and distances (65% and 44%, respectively), caloric expenditure (31%) and physical functioning (67%).

The cost-effectiveness of treatment of short occlusive lesions in the femoropopliteal artery: balloon angioplasty versus endarterectomy

OBJECTIVE

To compare the short- and long-term outcome and the costs involved in balloon angioplasty (BA) and thromboendarterectomy (EA) of short femoropopliteal occlusions.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-one lower limbs underwent EA from 1980 until 1988 and BA was performed in 62 limbs between 1988 and 1993. The two groups of patients were well matched for age, gender, cardiovascular risk-factors and the length of the femoropopliteal occlusions. In addition to clinical follow-up colour-Duplex scanning and intraarterial DSA were performed. Complete occlusions or significant restenoses were considered failure of the reconstruction. Actual costs were calculated by the hospital economic administration.

RESULTS

The 3-year primary patency in EA patients was 87% and in the BA group 44% (p = 0.0002). Redo procedures were required in seven (17%) patients with EA and in 24 (39%) with BA. Patency after redo procedures, i.e. tertiary patency, was 94% and 74% after 3 years in the EA and BA group respectively (p = 0.14). The mean cost of the primary treatment was higher in EA than in BA patients (p < 0.0001). Mean total treatment costs including the expenses involved with redo procedures were also higher in the group with EA than with BA (p < 0.001). However, the cost-effectiveness expressed as the total costs per month tertiary patency, was not significantly different for the two treatment groups; in patients with EA the ratio of total treatment costs and tertiary patency was NFl 309, and in patients with BA NFl 287.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to the general view the expenses associated with surgical treatment are comparable with those of an endovascular procedure, if the costs are expressed as a cost-to-patency ratio.

Surgery for limb threatening ischaemia: a reappraisal of the costs and benefits

OBJECTIVES

To study the quality of life of patients following surgery for critical limb is ischaemia.

DESIGN

Part retrospective, part prospective open study.

SETTING

Vascular unit of a University Hospital.

MATERIALS

Seventy-nine consecutive patients, medium age 75 years (range 44 to 94), who presented with leg threatening ischaemia and who underwent successful revascularisation or a major amputation were studied.

CHIEF OUTCOME MEASURES

Six separate quality of life measures were recorded at 6 months: pain, mobility, anxiety, depression, activities of daily living (Barthel) and lifestyle (Frenchay).

MAIN RESULTS

The mortality of this group of patients after six months was 24%. Forty-seven patients were available for quality of life assessment six months after initial intervention. Overall, amputation was more costly than successful revascularisation and limb salvage. Limb salvage resulted in greater mobility (p < 0.001) and better performance in self-care (p < 0.001) and lifestyle (p = 0.006), but produced more anxiety and depression (p = 0.04) than major amputation. A subgroup of patients who had major amputation after a failed limb salvage operation consumed a disproportionate amount of resources and, although their mobility was typical of amputees, their self-care and lifestyle scores were similar to those who had successful limb salvage. OBSTRUCTIONS: Limb salvage is attempted in up to 22% of patients for whom primary amputation may provide more expeditious rehabilitation with minimal impairment of their lifestyle performance.

The value of interventional techniques in the management of symptomatic leg ischaemia complicating transfemoral cardiac procedures

During a 4 year study period, 3169 coronary arteriograms and 733 coronary angioplasties were carried out at this institution using the percutaneous femoral approach. Seven (0.18%) patients developed symptomatic ischaemia in the leg of the transfemoral access, two (0.06%) after coronary arteriography, four (0.55%) after coronary angioplasty, and one after intraaortic balloon pump insertion for complications during coronary arteriography. Of the three patients with acute leg ischaemia within 24 h of the cardiac procedure, two required emergency surgery and the other was managed by systemic heparinization. Four patients developed intermittent claudication on mobilization after the procedure but referral for angiography was after an interval of 6 days to 12 months. One patient was treated by intra-arterial thrombolysis and three by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. On follow-up, at 12-36 (mean 20) months, only one patient (who had been treated surgically) had residual symptoms of ischaemia in the leg of the transfemoral access. We conclude that interventional techniques have a useful role to play in the management of symptomatic leg ischaemia complicating transfemoral cardiac procedures.

Trends in vascular surgery since the introduction of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Lower-limb percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been used increasingly over the past decade, either alone or in conjunction with arterial reconstructive surgery. However, its impact on operation rates has not been evaluated properly. Rates of vascular operations and PTAs performed per referral for peripheral arterial disease to the regional vascular service at The Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, were calculated for the years 1986-1992. The overall rate of PTA for peripheral arterial disease increased ninefold over this period; that for critical ischaemia increased fivefold. Rates of aortic and femoral reconstruction for all peripheral arterial disease increased by 40 and 100 per cent respectively, but rates for critical ischaemia remained static. The major amputation rate rose by 47 per cent between 1986 and 1990, and thereafter reached a plateau. Increased use of PTA was not associated with a reduction in the number of vascular operations.

Hospital costs of revascularization procedures for femoropopliteal arterial disease

PURPOSE

On the basis of analyses performed 8 to 10 years ago, hospital costs for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty were believed to be no more than one third those of bypass. Given increasing awareness of cost as an important component in management decisions, updated information is needed.

METHODS

From 1985 to 1991, clinical and hospital cost data were collected prospectively for 255 admissions for femoropopliteal bypass and 82 for femoropopliteal angioplasty. Mean hospital costs and length of stay per admission were calculated for subgroups of patients defined by procedure and indication, and multiple regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

For all admissions the mean hospital cost for angioplasty was $16,341 and for bypass it was $17,076 (nonsignificant difference). Excluding admissions associated with additional procedures, angioplasty cost on average $8019 and bypass $13,439, a significant difference (p = 0.0001). Stratification by indication demonstrated a significant difference for patients with disabling claudication (p = 0.0001), but the difference was of borderline significance for patients with critical ischemia (p = 0.08). An increasing trend in costs for angioplasty of $1270/yr was demonstrated during the study period, whereas the costs for bypass decreased by $370/yr.

CONCLUSION

In contrast to what has been reported previously, the ratios of hospital costs of angioplasty to bypass were 53% for patients with disabling claudication and 75% for those with critical ischemia.

Angioplasty gives good results in critical lower limb ischaemia. A 5-year follow-up in patients with known ankle pressure and diabetic status having femoropopliteal dilations

137 consecutive patients with known ankle pressures and diabetic status had attempted femoro-popliteal dilatation for lower limb ischaemia in an English provincial teaching hospital. All except one were followed until failure or death to assess survival and amputation rates. Non-diabetic patients with critical limb ischaemia had a 5 year survival rate of 62.2% (SE 17.1) compared to 50.5% (SE 7.0) for claudicants, with no significant difference on logrank testing. Diabetics had a relative risk of amputation of 11.2 compared to nondiabetics. Patients with pre-treatment ankle pressures of 50 mm or less had a relative risk of amputation of 2.6 compared to those with higher resting pressures. It is concluded that angioplasty should be the treatment of first choice in critical lower limb ischaemia whenever it is technically possible. Including patients with rest pain in the critical ischaemia group does not significantly affect cumulative patency rates.

Long-term results of double-balloon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the aorta and iliac arteries

Seventy-nine patients have been treated by double-balloon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for aortoiliac atherosclerotic lesions within 0.5 cm of the aortic bifurcation. Seven patients had repeated angioplasties, a total of 86 procedures over an 8 year period up to December 1990. The technique is described and its merits discussed. Technically successful dilatation was achieved in 81 cases (94%) and symptomatic relief was obtained in 75 (87%), including 12 of 14 patients with critical ischaemia. Fourteen of 17 occlusions up to 6 cm long and 67 of 69 stenoses were successfully dilated. After an average follow-up of 49 months (median 51 months, range 7-93), only six patients (7%) developed late recurrence of symptoms requiring further treatment. Six patients have died and 12 have been discharged from follow-up. The cumulative success rate beyond 5 years' follow-up was 80%. Complications requiring surgical intervention occurred in four patients (5%). Double-balloon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was seen to be an effective procedure which produced lasting improvement and is recommended as the first choice treatment for localised stenotic and occlusive disease at the aortic bifurcation.

The value of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the profunda femoris artery in threatened limb loss and intermittent claudication

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been performed on 29 profunda femoris artery stenoses in 26 limbs of 25 patients. Seventy per cent of the 27 atheromatous stenoses involved the origin or proximal 4 cm of the profunda. One patient had two strictures of a common femoral-profunda femoris vein graft. All had total superficial femoral or femoropopliteal occlusion (median length 29.5 cm, range 4-47 cm). The 13 patients presenting with threatened limb loss were significantly older than the remainder, who had disabling intermittent claudication (P = 0.03), and had twice the incidence of diabetes mellitus. They also had significantly fewer calf vessels patent compared with the claudicants (P = 0.008). The approaches used for profunda PTA included ipsilateral antegrade common femoral (19), ipsilateral retrograde profunda (3), cross-over technique (2), antegrade profunda (1) and brachial cutdown (1). Profunda PTA was technically successful at 26 sites (89.7%), partially successful at one, and failed at two. Concomitant PTA was successful at eight of 10 sites in eight patients. Complications requiring surgery occurred in two (7.7%). The median follow up was 17.5 months (range 1-62 months). Of the 12 limb salvage patients who underwent a technically successful profunda PTA, six required no further intervention, three subsequently underwent bypass grafting and three had an inevitable amputation, the level of amputation having been lowered in one of the patients. Nine claudicants improved symptomatically after technically successful profunda PTA; three underwent an operative procedure. Eight (61.5%) of the limb salvage group have now died, compared with two (15.4%) of the claudicants. Profunda femoris PTA is an effective alternative to profundaplasty in patients with femoropopliteal occlusive disease and may obviate the need for bypass surgery or amputation.

The use of angioplasty, bypass surgery, and amputation in the management of peripheral vascular disease

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has been adopted widely as a treatment for patients with peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities. However, the effect of this procedure on the overall management of peripheral vascular disease and on the outcomes of patients has not been clearly delineated. In particular, it is not known whether angioplasty has replaced other treatments for peripheral vascular disease.

METHODS

To assess the extent to which angioplasty is used and the associated changes in the surgical management of peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, we used data on hospital discharges in Maryland to identify all angioplasty procedures, peripheral bypass operations, and lower-extremity amputations performed for peripheral vascular disease in Maryland hospitals between 1979 and 1989.

RESULTS

We estimated that from 1979 to 1989 the annual rate of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities, adjusted for age and sex, rose from 1 to 24 per 100,000 Maryland residents (P less than 0.0001 by linear regression). Despite this increase in the use of angioplasty, the adjusted annual rate of peripheral bypass surgery also rose substantially, from 32 to 65 per 100,000 (P less than 0.001), whereas the adjusted annual rate of lower-extremity amputation remained stable at about 30 per 100,000. Total charges for hospitalizations during which a peripheral revascularization procedure was performed increased from $14.7 million in 1979 (in 1989 dollars) to $30.5 million in 1989.

CONCLUSIONS

In Maryland, the adoption of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities has been associated with an increase in the use of peripheral bypass surgery and with no decline in lower-extremity amputations. These results could be due to increased diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease, expanded indications for procedural interventions, or an increased number of repeat procedures performed in patients with peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities.

Recent changes in the treatment of aortoiliac occlusive disease by the Oxford Regional Vascular Service

Over the four years from 1 January 1985 to 31 December 1988, 192 patients were treated for aortoiliac occlusive disease by the Oxford Regional Vascular Service. The number of patients treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty increased from two in the first year of the study to 34 in the third year of the study. This increase was accompanied by a decrease in the proportion of patients treated by aortobifemoral bypass but the proportion of patients treated by extra-anatomic bypass remained constant at around 30 per cent. Twice as many patients were treated in the fourth year as in the first year of the study so that the number of surgical operations increased despite many patients being treated exclusively by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The number of patients requiring mandatory treatment for limb salvage increased by 109 per cent and optional treatment for intermittent claudication by 85 per cent. The introduction of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in Oxford has coincided with an increase in the number of patients presenting with symptomatic aortoiliac occlusive disease and has allowed twice as many people to be treated while the number of aortobifemoral bypass operations has remained unchanged. It is concluded that the introduction of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has not only generated its own workload but has also led to an increased demand for surgical reconstruction for aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Peripheral vascular disease. Treatment with balloon angioplasty

Peripheral vascular disease imposes daily inconveniences and limitations on many patients. The primary care physician and vascular specialist can work together to alleviate the restrictions of this disorder by prompt recognition, investigation, and therapy. It is no longer necessary to wait until patients are extremely debilitated before offering intervention. Initial success rates of percutaneous transluminal (balloon) angioplasty are very high and increasing, and restenosis rates are acceptable and decreasing. The procedure is economical and has a short convalescent period and low patient risk. Physicians should be aware that underuse of medical technology may be as costly as overuse. In upcoming years, further advances will allow even more patients with peripheral vascular disease to be treated with lesser expense; lower risk; and greater salvage of lives, limbs, and life-styles.

The expansion of interventional radiology. Report of a survey conducted by the Royal College of Radiologists

The Interventional Radiology Group of the Royal College of Radiologists sent a questionnaire to major hospitals in the United Kingdom in 1982 and 1987 in order to assess the impact of the introduction and growth of interventional procedures on patient management over the 5-year period and to consider the implications of these data for the future staffing and equipment requirements of radiology departments. In the 194 hospitals correctly completing the most recent survey, a total of 30,794 interventional procedures were performed in a 12 month period, representing an overall increase of 116% since the previous survey of 1982.

Long-term results of combined iliac balloon angioplasty and distal surgical revascularization

Long-term results of combined use of iliac artery percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and distal surgical revascularization for the management of multilevel occlusive disease were evaluated over a 12-year period. A total of 79 combined procedures were performed in 75 patients. All patients had tandem occlusive disease, with the inflow lesion felt to preclude a distal revascularization procedure alone. Revascularization was performed for incapacitating claudication in 17 (22%) and limb salvage indications in 62 (78%) cases. A mean resting iliac artery pressure gradient of 29 +/- 11 mmHg pre-PTA was reduced to 0.9 +/- 0.4 post-PTA. Major complications of PTA occurred in five (6%) cases, but four were successfully corrected at the time of the distal surgical procedure without alteration of the operative plan. Infrainguinal operations included 55 femoropopliteal or tibial bypass grafts, 18 femorofemoral grafts, and 6 profundaplasties. Mean follow-up was 43 months. By life table analysis, the 5-year primary patency rate of the distal surgical procedures was 76%; a secondary patency of 88% at 5 years was achieved by various means of reintervention. Mean pretreatment ankle/brachial index of 0.31 +/- 0.14 increased to 0.80 +/- 0.16 after operation (p less than 0.0001). The 5-year limb salvage rate was 90%. There were no operative deaths. We conclude that in carefully selected patients, combined use of iliac PTA and distal surgical reconstruction is effective and durable, safely reducing the extent of surgical intervention while reliably increasing the comprehensiveness of revascularization.

Grading for angioplasty

An increasing proportion of patients with lower limb arterial disease are being treated by transluminal angioplasty. There have been various estimates of the numbers of potentially treatable patients, but none have been accompanied by detailed selection criteria. Based on patients' arteriograms, we present a clear grading system of suitability for angioplasty aimed at allowing ready interpretation and comparison of data. We have used these grades to examine prospectively the suitability for angioplasty of 118 consecutive patients undergoing arteriography for the first time. Thirty-five per cent of patients with claudication, and 30% of those with rest pain or trophic lesions appeared suitable for angioplasty. Forty-five per cent of claudicants and 40% patients with rest pain or trophic lesions could have their symptoms relieved by appropriate angioplasty of aortoiliac disease alone in the presence of distal disease, or of isolated femoropopliteal lesions. These figures have important implications for the provision of interventional radiological services throughout the United Kingdom.

Angioplasty in peripheral vascular disease

Images

The place of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the treatment of patients having angiography for ischaemic disease of the lower limb

A prospective survey was made during 1 year of all 226 patients having angiography for lower limb ischaemia, to assess the accuracy of selection for angiography and the current treatment of the disease. Sixty-two percent of the patients presented with intermittent claudication and were found to have a fall in ankle systolic blood pressure on exercise. Thirty-one percent had rest pain or ischaemic skin changes. All patients had abnormal angiograms, with aorto-iliac disease present in 42%, combined with distal disease in 22%. There was a normal aorto-iliac segment in 58% of patients who had more distal disease. Calf-vessels only were affected in 15%. Treatment was by surgery only in 49%, and balloon dilatation only in 19%. A further 2% had dilatation as a complement to surgery, and 6% had surgery when dilatation failed or had complications. Dilatation was attempted unsuccessfully in 6%. No treatment was offered to 20% of patients. It is concluded that selection of patients for angiography using clinical and vascular laboratory assessment avoids unnecessary examinations and that approximately one-third of these selected patients are candidates for angioplasty, which is the preferred first option for treatment in all suitable patients.

The role of balloon angioplasty in the management of lower limb ischaemia

Three hundred and twenty-three angioplasties (159 iliac; 164 femoro-popliteal) were performed for lower limb ischaemia on 253 consecutive patients from 1980-86. The mean resting ankle/brachial pressure index (ABPI) was increased at one month in open angioplasties as follows: Femoro-popliteal 0.56-0.82; iliac with open superficial femoral artery (SFA) 0.7-0.95; iliac with occluded SFA 0.52-0.63. Successful angioplasty virtually abolished the post-exercise fall in ABPI except for patients having iliac dilations when multisegment disease was present. At 5 years, cumulative patency was 72% for iliac angioplasty and 53% for femoro-popliteal angioplasty. The results of angioplasty were compared with operative arterial reconstructions during 1985. Eighty-eight (91%) of 96 surgical bypasses were alive and patent at hospital discharge and 44 (71%) of 62 angioplasties were patent at 1 month. There were many fewer complications with angioplasty which involved a much shorter hospital stay (2 days vs 16 days).

The effects of introducing balloon dilatation into vascular surgical practice

The numbers of angiograms, balloon dilatations, reconstructive operations and amputations carried out annually over a 5-year period following the introduction of balloon dilatation have been counted and the change in estimated costs calculated. Over the 5-year period the numbers of angiograms and reconstructive operations carried out have doubled and the number of amputations has fallen from 52 in the first year to 39 in the fifth year. The number of dilatations has increased from six in five patients in the first year to 97 in 75 patients in the fifth year. The cost of investigation and treatment has doubled but since more patients are being treated effectively, the mean cost per patient treated has fallen from pounds 1855 to pounds 1277. The introduction of balloon dilatation into vascular practice causes patients to be investigated earlier in the progress of their disease and enables more patients to be treated effectively with greater cost-efficiency, but does not reduce the overall cost of investigation and treatment of ischaemic disease of the lower limb.