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

Peripheral arterial disease: clinical assessment and indications for revascularization in the patient with diabetes

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an under-recognized complication of diabetes. Recently, prevalence estimates in patients with diabetes over 50 years of age have been placed at 25% to 30%. The main reason for under-reporting is the largely asymptomatic nature of PAD in diabetes. Nonetheless, it is important to diagnose PAD because it is a marker of systemic atherosclerosis with excess cardiovascular risk, and it may identify a patient who may develop progressive disability and risk of limb loss. The most sensitive and specific diagnostic tool is an ankle-brachial index. Imaging studies are performed in patients who are candidates for revascularization. The most durable and effective revascularization procedure for PAD in diabetes is surgical bypass with saphenous vein as the conduit. Endovascular interventions are best used in patients with proximal disease with short-segment stenoses. The indications for revascularization have been immutable for decades, namely rest pain, ischemic ulceration, or gangrene. Presently, clinicians would include "selected" patients with intermittent claudication who have disabling symptoms and proximal disease above the inguinal ligament.

[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and severe limb ischaemia]

OBJECTIVES

To determine the outcome and the place of transluminal angioplasty (ATL) in the treatment of severe limb ischaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy two legs at stage III and IV of Fontaine's classification have been exclusively treated by endoluminal procedures. The success was valued both on the haemodynamic post-operative improvement of the run-off flow and on the clinical statut leading to the conservation at mid-term of a functional limb. Patency and survival rate had been valued by actuarial method.

RESULTS

Seventy percent of the limbs were haemodynamically improved. For the global population, a 48% clinical success rate was obtained at 6 months but 30.5% of limbs were loss. Primary patency rate was respectively 79, 71 and 68% at 6, 12 and 24 month. The quality of the run-off arteries has been the most influential factor.

CONCLUSION

Endoluminal treatment of chronic limb ischaemia had lead to a clinical improvement in 48% of cases. Multi-stages and distal atherosclerotic disease of this patients limits ATL indications which results depend of run-off quality.

Balloon dilation and stent implantation for treatment of femoropopliteal arterial disease: meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To perform a meta-analysis of long-term results of balloon dilation and stent implantation in the treatment of femoropopliteal arterial disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The English-language literature was searched for studies published between 1993 and 2000. Inclusion criteria for articles were presentation of long-term primary patency rates, standard errors (explicitly reported or derivable), and baseline characteristics of the study population. Two reviewers independently extracted data, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Primary patency rates were combined by using a technique that allows adjustment for differences across study populations. Analyses were adjusted for lesion type and clinical indication.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, representing 923 balloon dilations and 473 stent implantations. Combined 3-year patency rates after balloon dilation were 61% (standard error, 2.2%) for stenoses and claudication, 48% (standard error, 3.3%) for occlusions and claudication, 43% (standard error, 4.1%) for stenoses and critical ischemia, and 30% (standard error, 3.7%) for occlusions and critical ischemia. The 3-year patency rates after stent implantation were 63%-66% (standard error, 4.1%) and were independent of clinical indication and lesion type. Funnel plots demonstrated an asymmetric distribution of the data points associated with stent studies.

CONCLUSION

Balloon dilation and stent implantation for claudication and stenosis yield similar long-term patency rates. For more severe femoropopliteal disease, the results of stent implantation seem more favorable. Publication bias could not be ruled out.

Cost and patency rate targets for the development of endovascular devices to treat femoropopliteal arterial disease

PURPOSE

To determine the criteria that would make use of an endovascular device cost-effective compared with bypass surgery and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the treatment of femoropopliteal arterial disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A decision model was developed to compare treatment with the use of a hypothetical endovascular device with established therapies. Cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the health care system was considered. Outcome measures were lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-years. With the use of net health benefit calculations and threshold analysis, combinations of costs and patency rates were determined that would make the device cost-effective compared with established therapies. In subgroup and sensitivity analyses, the effect on decision-making of sex, age, indication, lesion type, procedural risk, and society's willingness to pay for incremental gain in health were explored.

RESULTS

Use of a device that costs $3,000 would be cost-effective compared with bypass surgery for critical ischemia if the 5-year patency rate is 29%-46%. Use of the same device would be cost-effective compared with angioplasty for disabling claudication and stenosis if the 5-year patency rate is 69%-86%.

CONCLUSION

The target combinations of costs and patency rates found in this study are probably attainable, and further development of such endovascular devices seems warranted.

Combined iliac angioplasty and infrainguinal revascularization surgery are effective in diabetic patients with multilevel arterial disease

The success of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of common and external iliac atherosclerotic lesions has been established for the general population. However, several studies have suggested that the presence of diabetes may reduce the effectiveness of iliac angioplasty, particularly in the setting of limb-threatening ischemia requiring concomitant lower extremity revascularization. This study compared the results of iliac artery PTA performed in conjunction with infrainguinal bypass for limb-threatening ischemia for diabetic (DM) and nondiabetic (non-DM) patients. Between 1991 and 2000, 159 PTA were performed in 126 patients (DM = 99/79%, non-DM = 27/21%) in conjunction with subsequent infrainguinal bypass for limb-threatening ischemia (gangrene = 42%, ulcer = 36%, rest pain = 22%). These patients were followed prospectively using a computerized vascular registry. Stents were placed in 34 (21.4%) cases for suboptimal angioplasty results. In this study the combined use of standard surgical and endoluminal modalities for the treatment of multilevel arterial occlusive disease resulted in excellent cumulative patency and limb salvage rates. The presence of diabetes did not alter these favorable results. Multimodal vascular therapy may be used effectively in diabetic patients with limb-threatening ischemia due to multiple levels of arterial occlusion.

Clinical outcome and its predictors in 1560 patients with critical leg ischaemia. Chronic Critical Leg Ischaemia Group

OBJECTIVE

to assess the predictivity of clinical variables in patients with chronic critical leg ischaemia (CLI). Design observational prospective cohort study.

METHODS

the i.c.a.i. (ischemia critica degli arti inferiori) trial database was used to assess the impact of patients' history, cardiovascular risk, manifestations of the disease and specific invasive and pharmacological interventions on mortality, amputation rate and persistence of CLI.

RESULTS

of 1560 patients, 298 died within one year; at six months 187 were amputees and 746 still suffered from CLI. Prior major vascular events doubled the risk of dying within one year. Previous revascularisation was associated with a lower mortality, but also with a higher probability of amputation. Among cardiovascular risk factors, only diabetes affected prognosis, in terms of increased mortality and lower probability of recovery from CLI. Patients with tissue loss had a higher amputation rate and less probability of recovery. Ankle pressure was predictive of mortality and amputation only when unmeasurable. Patients requiring revascularisation had better chances of recovering from CLI, but not of longer-term survival or limb salvage compared to those in whom surgery was deemed unnecessary. Antiplatelet drugs caused resolution of CLI and decreased the amputation rate by about 1/3, while the advantage of the test treatment (alprostadil-alpha-cyclodextrine) was confined to CLI resolution only.

CONCLUSIONS

this study documents the high mortality and heterogeneity of patients with CLI. It provides stratification criteria for reliably estimating the achievable benefit in routine practice and for clinical trials.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic stragegies in peripheral obliterative arteriopathy: non-drug treatment]

The therapeutic management of patients with peripheral arterial disease relies initially on the assessment of the severity of arterial insufficiency. At this stage, measurement of ankle systolic pressure plays a particularly important role, and is an essential part of the clinical examination. When the severity of ischaemia jeopardises the survival of a limb, the limitations associated with medical treatment clearly justify all steps being taken to enable the patient to benefit from revascularisation. In this often fragile host environment, endovascular techniques play an important part. As first-line procedures, they have a place within a multidisciplinary management approach, particularly since further surgical procedures, such as distal bypass, often prove necessary. For patients at the intermittent claudication stage, treatment indications become more complex. They include the functional repercussions of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and the cardiovascular prognosis for the patient, which is determined by assessing the extent of the arterial disease. Ultrasonography provides a topographical evaluation of the lesions and their haemodynamic repercussions. This investigation is crucial for screening patients who present with a lesion that may be appropriate for endovascular surgery. Ultrasonography is often programmed at the same time as arteriography. For patients with intermittent claudication, surgical revascularisation is considered only after a minimum 3-month period of medical treatment, for those who have significant functional impairment. In some instances, ultrasonographic evaluation, or even arteriography, may reveal lesions associated with a real risk of deterioration, such as arterial or popliteal aneurysm, and this constitutes the basis of the indication. The development of endovascular techniques has broadened the indications for surgical revascularisation to include patients with intermittent claudication. As a result, there has been a radical change with regard to the management of these patients, limiting the number for whom medical treatment is the only feasible solution.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of limb threatening ischemia: do the results justify an attempt before bypass grafting?

PURPOSE

Results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in selected cases have been reported to be equal or superior to those of arterial bypass graft surgery, with a lower morbidity and mortality. We performed PTA of stenotic or occlusive lesions in patients with limb-threatening ischemia, hoping to improve our overall success and decrease morbidity in this group of patients. The results of PTA in the limb-salvage setting was evaluated.

METHODS

From 1992 to 1995, 307 PTAs were performed in 257 patients. One hundred sixty-one (63%) patients had diabetes mellitus, and 32 (12%) patients had renal failure. All patients were evaluated by means of pulse volume recordings and ankle brachial indices at 1 and 6 weeks after PTA and at 3 month intervals thereafter. Seventeen patients (9%) were lost to follow-up. The continued success or failure of PTA was defined by means of noninvasive vascular laboratory criteria, patency by means of pulse examination, the need for subsequent bypass grafting across the index lesion, and limb salvage.

RESULTS

The 1-year patency rates for external iliac PTAs (56%) were significantly lower (P <.05) than those for common iliac PTAs (87%). Infrainguinal PTAs at the femoral, popliteal, and tibial level had 1-year patency rates of less than 15%.

CONCLUSION

Common iliac artery PTA is justified in most cases in which it is feasible. However, when PTAs are performed below the inguinal ligament, the results are markedly worse. One-year patency rates of PTA in this group of patients with threatened limbs are inferior to the patency rates of arterial bypass grafts, even when these bypasses are performed with a prosthetic material. PTA should not be considered as a primary treatment modality for patients with infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease who also have limb-threatening ischemia, except in unusual circumstances.

The nature and importance of changes in toe-brachial pressure indices following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for leg ischaemia

OBJECTIVES

To document changes in toe-brachial pressure indices (TBPI) during the 6 months following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and relate these changes to restenosis. Furthermore, to ascertain the effect of administering a vasodilator, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN), immediately following PTA.

DESIGN

Eighty-three technically successful PTA procedures were studied. Fifty-six were for intermittent claudication, 14 for ischaemic rest pain, and 13 for non-healing ulcers. Immediately following balloon dilatation an intra-arterial bolus of either 150 micrograms GTN, with or without a 10 mg GTN patch for 24 h, or a saline placebo was administered. TBPI were measured before and for 6 h after PTA and then at 24 h, 1 week, 1 month and 6 months. At this time, patency at the PTA site was determined by arteriography.

RESULTS

There was continuing TBPI improvement over 1 month in patients given saline following PTA. In patients given GTN, peak TBPI was achieved by 1 week, and corresponded with the TBPI observed immediately following GTN administration. Restenosis occurred in 27 (33%) patients, and was significantly more frequent following the procedures for rest pain or ulceration, or where a TBPI increase of more than 0.15 by 1 week was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Haemodynamic changes following PTA continue for at least 1 month, can be modified by GTN administration, and are predictive of subsequent restenosis. Measuring the TBPI increase during the first week following PTA underestimates total improvement, and may give false reassurance with respect to recurrent disease.

Impact of arterial surgery and balloon angioplasty on amputation: a population-based study of 1155 procedures between 1973 and 1992

BACKGROUND

Limited population-based data are available on trends in the incidence of arterial surgery, balloon angioplasty, and amputation for arterial occlusive disease of the legs over the past two decades.

METHODS

We identified all elective and emergency arterial operations, balloon angioplasty procedures, and amputations performed for all residents of a defined community, Olmsted County, Minn., between 1973 and 1992. We focused on gender mix, type of procedure, and secular trends in utilization.

RESULTS

A total of 1155 procedures were performed, including 733 arterial surgical procedures, 59 balloon angioplasty procedures, and 363 amputations (288 major and 75 minor). Emergency procedures were performed in 12%. Suprainguinal inflow procedures were the most common arterial reconstruction (60%) compared with infrainguinal procedures (40%). The incidence of all revascularization procedures increased in the first decade but reached a plateau after 1985. Utilization rates of revascularization procedures from 1988 to 1992 were higher for men (141.9/100,000 person-years [p-yr]) than women (57.4/100,000 p-yr.). Angioplasty (17.0/100,000 p-yr) rates lagged behind surgery until 1985, but tripled in the past 10 years and have not yet reached a plateau. Although minor amputation rates remain unchanged in 20 years, major amputation rates have been reduced by 50% from 36.7/100,000 p-yr between 1973 and 1977 to 19.0/100,000 p-yr from 1988 to 1992.

CONCLUSIONS

From this long-term population-based analysis (1973 to 1992), we conclude that increased vascular surgery and balloon angioplasty rates have coincided with a significant reduction in major amputation rates in the past 10 years.

Results of peripheral endovascular procedures in the operating room

PURPOSE

This study presents the results of closed (percutaneous) and open endovascular procedures performed exclusively by vascular surgeons in the operating room and compares them with results from combined series from the literature, including primarily closed procedures in radiology or cardiology facilities.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 607 consecutive peripheral arterial and venous angioplasties, stents, thrombolytic cases, and inferior vena caval filters in 446 patients was analyzed for immediate success rate, complication rate, and 1-year life table patency rate.

RESULTS

The incidence of initial technical success was: aorta, 89%; iliac artery, 91%; superficial femoral artery, 90%; popliteal artery, 91%; tibial arteries, 79%; arm arteries and veins, 86%; renal arteries, 100%; IVC filters, 98%; and iliofemoral veins, 100%. The 1-year primary patency rates, including technical failures, were 70.3% in 113 femoropopliteal procedures and 83.7% in 194 iliac arteries. Advantages to the use of the operating room included: (1) simultaneous angioplasty during a bypass operation for abnormalities proximal or distal to the graft, (2) correction of lesions first discovered during thrombectomy, and (3) optimum patient monitoring and sedation in the operating room.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular procedures performed by vascular surgeons in the operating room lead to results comparable with procedures performed in nonsurgical interventional suites, and the use of the operating room has advantages.

Clinical outcome and restenosis following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for ischaemic rest pain or ulceration

The role of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the management of severe leg ischaemia is controversial. To investigate further the efficacy of angioplasty and the clinical consequences of restenosis, a randomly selected cohort of 29 patients with ischaemic rest pain or ulceration was studied for 6 months after a technically successful balloon angioplasty. All patients had digital subtraction arteriography at the end of follow-up. Seven of 15 patients undergoing the procedure for rest pain had sustained relief from the initial dilatation. Partial or complete healing was noted in all 14 patients with ulceration and was maintained at 6 months in 11 despite significant (greater than 30 per cent) restenosis at the angioplasty site in eight. There were no complications or clinical deterioration associated with the procedure. Angioplasty is an effective method for treating the severely ischaemic leg, especially when used to achieve ulcer healing; restenosis is often clinically unimportant.