The Outcome of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia and how Diabetes May Influence this Outcome

Abstract

Purpose: This study sought to establish the outcome following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and how diabetes may influence that outcome. Method: A retrospective study included 49 consecutive patients with CLI who were managed by PTA between 2008 and 2011, with a follow-up period of 12 month. Analysis of data was done using the SPSS version 19 software. The χ² test , t-test , Z test, simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The study included 22 diabetic and 27 non-diabetic patients. The technical success was almost similar in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups (91% and 88% respectively). In the diabetic and non-diabetic groups, the limbs salvage rates were (72.7% and 88.9% respectively), rates of major amputation were (22.7% and 7.4% respectively), rates of minor amputation were (4.6% and 3.7% respectively) and ulcer healing rates were (90.0% and 93.3% respectively). There was higher percentage of ulcer or advance tissue necrosis among diabetics (P=0.014). Conclusions: The technical success of angioplasty was almost similar in both groups. In both groups, having gangrene on initial clinical assessment is associated with seven folds increase in the risk of amputation when other factors are adjusted for.