A comparative study of postrevascularization limb salvage rate in early versus delayed presentation of rutherford class IIb acute lower extremity ischemia

Abstract

Background: Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is the most common vascular emergency with potential morbidity and mortality, which can be prevented by early appropriate treatment. Delayed presentation because of diagnostic delays and referrals continues to be a challenge for vascular surgeons. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the postrevascularization limb salvage rate in patients with delayed presenting ALI Rutherford Class IIb and compare it with early presenting ALI in a tertiary referral center in India. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients with Rutherford Class IIb acute lower limb ischemia, who underwent revascularization over a period of 2 years from June 2015 to May 2017 at Jain Institute of Vascular Sciences, Bengaluru, were evaluated in this study. Patients were divided into early presenting (<24 h) (n = 10) and delayed presenting (>24 h–14 days) (n = 41), and both the groups were compared with respect to limb salvage at 1 year. Patients with prior vascular intervention, posttraumatic ALI, and Rutherford Class I, IIa, and III were excluded. Results: Both the groups were comparable with respect to demographics, lesion characteristics, and comorbidities. The mean age in the early and delayed presenting groups was similar. Majority of the patients were male. The most common level of occlusion was femoropopliteal segment. All patients underwent transfemoral/transpopliteal thrombectomy + angioplasty/stenting. Fasciotomy was performed in almost half of the patients based on clinical need. The limb salvage rate was 91.67% in the early presenting group, whereas in the delayed presenting group, it was 72.73%, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.178). None of the patients in the early presenting group had morality, whereas it was 12.20% in the delayed group, which was statistically not significant (P = 0.249). Conclusion: In patients with Rutherford Class IIb ALI in spite of delayed presentation, good limb salvage rate can be achieved if revascularized.