EVALUATION OF BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY IN INFRAPOPLITEAL INTERVENTIONS FOR PATIENTS WITH CRITICAL LIMB ISCHEMIA

Abstract

Background: Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is a major disease that limits active aging in elderly people. Complications of PAOD are the leading cause of hospitalization and amputation for people with lower limb ischemia, and account for billion-dollar expenditures annually around the world. Objective: To assess the balloon dilation angioplasty in limb salvage rate and patency in infra-popliteal arterial occlusive disease. Patients and methods: This study was carried out as a prospective study, in Al-Azhar University Hospitals and 6 October HIO hospital on 20 diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia as defined by Rutherford classification, between Jan, 2019 and July, 2019. Written consents were obtained from all patients. Every patient received an explanation to the purpose of the study. Results: The present study was conducted on 20 diabetic patients, 11 males (55%) and 9 females (45%).Their ages ranged between 50 years and 87 years with a mean age of 66.7. Limb salvage was defined as freedom from major amputation, toe, ray, or trans-metatarsal amputations were considered as minor amputations.      The limb salvage after 6 months was 70%, clinical successes were defined as relief of rest pain or improve healing of the ulcer and limb salvage, based on Rutherford categories. Of 3 patients (15 %) suffering from rest pain, Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) succeeded in 2 patients (66.7%) and became non-disabling cludicants at more than 400m. PTA failed in one patient (33.3%), who underwent redo angioplasty, but failed again. He received conservative treatment in the form of anticoagulants, antiplatelets and vasodilators without improvement and ended by major amputation. Of 17 patients (85 %) suffering from minor tissue loss, PTA succeeded in 11 patients (64.7%) improve healing was achieved, PTA failed in 6 patients (35.3%) four patients underwent femoro-distal bypass surgery, but failed and diabetic foot infection with osteomyelitis reached up to ankle joint and ended by major amputation. Two patients underwent above knee amputation before six months. Two patients underwent below knee amputation at six months. The other 2 patients underwent above knee amputation before six months due their deterioration of their general condition. Conclusion: Tibial angioplasty demonstrated its feasibility, safety and effectiveness in the treatment of diabetic patients with CLI.