Results of endovascular interventions in acute lower limb ischemia

Abstract

The aim — to analyze the results of the use of endovascular revascularization methods for acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) caused by thromboses or embolisms of the lower limb arteries.Materials and methods. An evaluation of the results of revascularization with the use of endovascular interventions in 108 patients with ALLI was performed. Depending on the treatment method, patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 78 patients who had intra‑arterial catheter‑directed thrombolysis, the second group included 30 patients after percutaneous aspiration or mechanical thrombectomy. If hemodynamically significant residual stenoses of arteries which caused thrombosis remained after thrombolysis or percutaneous thrombectomy, balloon angioplasty or stenting were used.Results and discussion. Technical success was achieved in 73 % of patients who underwent thrombolysis. Endovascular or surgical interventions in addition to thrombolysis were performed in 45 % of patients. The number of perioperative complications was 27 %, of which hemorrhagic — 14 %, including intracranial hemorrhages — 3 %. The number of larger amputations was 21 %, mortality — 8 %. The technical success of aspiration thrombectomy was 83 %, mechanical thrombectomy — 100 %. In most cases additional endovascular interventions were required to eliminate residual stenoses.Conclusions. Endovascular revascularization is an effective method for the treatment of acute lower limb ischemia. Majority of patients after thrombolysis and percutaneous thrombectomy have residual stenotic lesions of arteries which caused thrombosis and require additional endovascular or surgical treatment.