Lower Extremity Endovascular Interventions Research Articles

Patterns of Care and Outcomes of Ambulatory Endovascular Interventions in Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease

Lower extremity endovascular intervention (LE-EVI) is gaining popularity as the primary treatment modality for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease refractory to noninvasive management. We examined the contemporary patterns of care, regional variation, and outcomes of ambulatory LE-EVI in the United States. The National Ambulatory Surgery Sample was analyzed to identify 266,563 records with peripheral artery disease and LE-EVI between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017. The mean age of the study cohort was 68.9years and 40.5% were women. The majority of the endovascular interventions were performed at large (58.1%), urban teaching (64.1%), private not-for-profit (76.8%) centers, and the southern region accounted for most cases (43%). Periprocedural major adverse renal and cardiovascular events and other complications were 0.5% and 3.3%, respectively. Most patients (97.6%) were discharged home after the procedure. Age, female gender, uncontrolled hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmia, chronic kidney disease, malnutrition, non-Medicare insurance, private for-profit, urban teaching facilities, and southern and midwest regions were associated with higher odds of major adverse renal and cardiovascular events. The mean charges per patient encounter were $56,500, with significant differences across various patient and facility characteristics. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the use, patterns of care, financial aspect, and overall safety of ambulatory LE-EVIs in a real-world setting.

Nursing of four patients with acute pancreatitis after lower extremity endovascular intervention

Nursing of four patients with acute pancreatitis after lower extremity endovascular intervention

Abstract No. 118 Functional status, dialysis, and symptoms of critical limb ischemia are independent risk factors for complications and major amputations after lower extremity endovascular intervention for peripheral artery disease

Abstract No. 118 Functional status, dialysis, and symptoms of critical limb ischemia are independent risk factors for complications and major amputations after lower extremity endovascular intervention for peripheral artery disease

Higher Distressed Community Index Score Can Be Predictive of Postoperative Amputation After Lower Extremity Endovascular Interventions

A patient’s socioeconomic background is known to influence their surgical and overall health outcomes. This study specifically explored the outcomes of peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs) for patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged populations undergoing PVI for peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD).

Intravascular Ultrasound Is Associated With Improved Limb Salvage But Poorer Technical Outcomes in Femoropopliteal Revascularization

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination use in lower extremity endovascular interventions is growing in popularity owing to its ability to identify lesions missed by catheter angiography. However, there is conflicting data regarding whether IVUS examination aff5cts technical or limb outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the independent effect of IVUS examination implementation on technical and limb outcomes in femoropopliteal interventions.

Tailored Antiplatelet Therapy After Lower Extremity Endovascular Intervention is Cost Effective

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel is often prescribed after lower extremity endovascular interventions. However, some patients can have disease resistant to clopidogrel, which has been termed “high on-treatment platelet reactivity” (HoTPR). Patients with HoTPR during clopidogrel therapy might have an increased risk of intervention failure. We compared different antiplatelet prescribing strategies after lower extremity femoropopliteal endovascular interventions using cost-effectiveness modeling.

Trends in operative case volumes of Canadian vascular surgery trainees

ObjectiveVascular surgery has evolved with increasing use of endovascular therapies and a decline in open surgery. The influence of these changes, in addition to a new vascular surgery training program introduced in 2012, on case volumes of vascular trainees is not known. We sought to evaluate trends in operative case volumes of Canadian vascular surgery trainees. MethodsA survey was administered to graduates of the Canadian Royal College-accredited Vascular Fellowships (VFs) and Integrated Vascular Surgery Residency (IVSR) programs (2007-2019) to record cases performed during their final 2 years of training. Procedures of interest were open abdominal aortic aneurysm (oAAA) repair, open thoracic/thoracoabdominal aortic (oTAA/TAAA) repair, lower extremity bypass (LEB), carotid endarterectomy (CEA), lower extremity endovascular intervention (LEEI), and endovascular abdominal, advanced, and thoracic aortic repair (EVAR, aEVAR, and TEVAR). Case volumes were analyzed overall, and by graduation year, type of training program, and resident demographics. ResultsA total of 60 participants (10% female) from all the 10 Canadian training institutions responded (response rate, 63%). There was a declining trend in overall procedures performed since the introduction of IVSR in 2012 (median, 427 [interquartile range (IQR), 304-496] in 2007-2012 vs median, 342 [IQR, 279-405] in 2013-2019; P = .055), driven by a significant decline in open vascular surgery cases (median, 273 [IQR, 221-339] in 2007-2012 vs median, 156 [IQR, 128-181] in 2013-2019; P = .001). Case volumes of oAAA, LEB, and CEA declined by 44%, 40%, and 45%, respectively. Compared with vascular fellows, IVSR residents logged ∼2.5 times more aEVARs (median, 8; IQR, 2-11 vs median, 19; IQR, 8-27; P = .001) and ∼1.5 times more LEEIs (median, 60; IQR, 40-99 vs median, 93; IQR, 69-120; P = .018). Trainees were most confident (range, 90%-100%) in performing oAAA, EVAR, LEB, LEEI, and CEA after training, and least confident in performing oTAA/TAAA and aEVAR (20% and 49% confidence, respectively). ConclusionsOperative case volumes of Canadian vascular surgery trainees since the introduction of IVSR program in 2012 have decreased, driven by declining exposure to open cases. However, trainees continue to receive adequate operative exposure to perform most standard vascular procedures confidently upon graduation.

Paradigm shift in the vascular surgery of the lower extremity at the Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Szeged, Hungary

Endovascular interventions were initially performed by radiologists. Nowadays properly trained vascular surgeons also effectively perform these interventions. We wished to apply this widespread practice at our university because without this advancement the number of reconstructive surgeries was expected to decrease significantly. Both radiologists and vascular surgeons perform endovascular interventions at our university. We compared the outcomes of lower extremity endovascular interventions between the two institutes. We included patients who underwent lower extremity endovascular interventions between 01. 01. 2012 and 31. 12. 2019. We compared the risk factors, treated anatomical regions, hospitalization time and complication rate. During the one-year follow-up, we examined the occurrence of redo surgeries, amputations and mortality. 653 interventions were performed by radiologists and 573 by vascular surgeons. Vascular surgeons carried out more interventions in the infrainguinal region (63.2%), while radiologists in the suprainguinal region (68.6%). The hospitalization time after percutaneous interventions (2.5 ± 4.4 days vs. 2.4 ± 2.5 days, p = 0.78), and the rate of complications after minimally invasive interventions did not show significant difference (30/653 - 4.6% vs. 11/257 - 4.3%, p = 0.837). Redo surgeries (73/485 - 15.1% vs. 33/562 - 5.9%, p<0.001) and amputations (31/485 - 6.4% vs. 12/562 - 2.1%, p<0.001) occurred more frequently in the surgical group. However, the incidence of chronic limb ischaemia was also higher (45.4% vs. 38.6%, p = 0.016). There was no significant difference in the mortality (5.8% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.16). Both institutes had similar efficacy in performing peripheral interventions on solitary vascular lesions. Complications occurred more frequently in the surgical group, but the majority of these patients had extended atherosclerotic diseases. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(24): 943-951.

Long-term Lower Extremity and Cardiovascular Complications after Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplant.

Lower extremity (LE) vascular disease and adverse cardiovascular events (ACEs) cause significant long-term morbidity after simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation. This study's purpose was to describe the incidence of, and risk factors associated with, LE vascular complications and related ACEs following SPK. All SPKs performed at the authors' institution from 2000 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was any LE vascular event, defined as LE endovascular intervention, open surgery, amputation, or invasive podiatry intervention. Secondary outcomes included post-SPK ACE. A total of 363 patients were included, of whom 54 (14.9%) required at least one LE vascular intervention following SPK. Only 3 patients received pre-SPK ankle brachial indices (ABIs). A history of peripheral artery disease (PAD) (HR 2.95, CI 1.4-6.2) was a risk factor for post-SPK LE vascular intervention even after adjustment for other factors. Fifty-nine (16.3%) patients experienced an ACE in follow-up. Requiring a LE intervention post-SPK was associated with a subsequent ACE (HR 2.3, CI 1.2-4.5). LE vascular and cardiovascular complications continue to be significant sources of morbidity for SPK patients, especially for patients with preexisting PAD. The highest risk patients may benefit from more intensive pre- and post-SPK workup with ABIs and follow-up with a vascular surgeon.

The predictors of clinical outcome after endovascular intervention for lower extremity peripheral arterial disease

Abstract Background Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have a higher mortality rate than age-matched patients without PAD. Also more than half of patients with symptomatic PAD have polyvascuar disorder including coronary artery disease (CAD). Purpose This study aimed to identify the predictors of mortality outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease undergoing lower extremity endovascular intervention. Methods We studied 300 consecutive patients admitted for symptomatic low extremity arterial disease. A total of 196 patients without angina and prior coronary revascularization (72±10 years, 156 men) who underwent lower extremity endovascular intervention (claudication, n=74; critical limb ischemia, n=122) were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent coronary angiography but not simultaneous coronary revascularization. CAD was defined as angiographically significant (≥50%) stenosis of coronary arteries and severity was classified as none, 1-, 2-, or 3-vessel disease (VD). All-cause mortality and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) rate were compared between the patients with CAD and those without CAD. MACCE included any of the following adverse events: cardiac death, cerebrovascular death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and congestive heart failure. Results Mean duration of follow-up was 3 years. All-cause mortality and MACCE were 16.3% and 19.8%, respectively. The independent risk factors for all-cause mortality were old age (HR=1.05, P=0.043), lower body mass index (HR=0.83, P=0.016), critical limb ischemia (HR=3.74, P=0.033) and the presence of CAD (HR=2.85, P=0.027). This variable surpassed all classical risk factors (including smoking and history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus). Of the 196 patients, 101 patients (52%) had asymptomatic CAD; 1-VD (n=35, 18%); 2-VD (n=32, 16%); 3-VD (n=28, 14%). Patients with CAD had significantly higher all-cause mortality (19% vs. 11%, P=0.018) and higher MACCE rate (26% vs. 8%, P=0.001) compared to those without CAD. Furthermore, the severity of CAD had graded associations with the all-cause mortality and MACCE rate (Figure). Independent predictors of CAD were critical limb ischemia (CLI) (OR = 2.43, P=0.018) and presence of the below-the-knee lesions (OR = 2.04, P=0.019). In addition, CAD was more prevalent in the patients with lower BMI (61% vs. 41%, p=0.007). Conclusion Asymptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) was found in half of the patients undergoing endovascular intervention for lower extremity arterial disease and associated with higher mortality and MACCE rate. Therefore, detection of CAD might be important for risk stratification for these patients, especially with lower body mass index or critical limb ischemia. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Evaluating Practice Patterns and Effects on One-Year Patency and Reintervention of Single Versus Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Lower Extremity Endovascular Intervention

The aim of this study was to explore current practice patents for prescribing single versus dual antiplatelet therapy after lower extremity endovascular interventions and to explore the effects of various antiplatelet therapy regimens on 1-year patency and reintervention rates.

WIRION™ embolic protection system for carotid artery stenting and lower extremity endovascular intervention.

Aim: To summarize all available literature regarding the Wirion™ embolic protection system (EPS) and present examples from our center. Materials & methods: A review of literture was performed about the utilization of Wirion EPS. Results: One study was identified investigating the outcomes of Wirion during carotid artery stenting. The study demonstrated 98.3% procedural success with stroke occurring in only 2.5%. Two single arm studies were identified investigating the efficacy of the Wirion filter during lower extremity endovascular interventions. The reported device success ranged from 95.1 to 97.3%. Conclusion: While carotid artery stenting should always be performed with adjunctive EPS in order to decrease the risk of cerebrovascular accidents, the routine use of EPS in femorpopliteal interventions remains an active area of investigation.

Assessment of Flow after Lower Extremity Endovascular Revascularisation: A Feasibility Study Using Time Attenuation Curve Analysis of Digital Subtraction Angiography.

ObjectivesEndovascular revascularisation is the mainstay of the treatment of lower extremity peripheral arterial disease. Improvement in perfusion after treatment is often quantified by a corresponding increment in ankle or toe brachial indices. These measurements are difficult to obtain in patients with foot wounds, and have to be performed at a separate time and setting after revascularisation. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the use of parametric colour coding and analysis of time attenuation curves as a real time quantitative measure of perfusion after endovascular revascularisation.MethodsForty-seven consecutive patients with critical limb ischaemia were retrospectively enrolled and analysed. Parametric colour coding and generation of time attenuation curves in the main pedal vessel was performed for pre- and post-intervention digital subtraction angiograms of each patient. The change in time attenuation curve parameters was compared with the change in ankle or toe brachial indices before and after intervention.ResultsComparing before and after lower extremity endovascular intervention, there were significant changes in the washout parameters derived from the time attenuation curve. The percentage of contrast decay 4 seconds after peak (I4s) demonstrated the strongest correlation (R = .482) with the change in ankle or toe brachial indices.ConclusionsParametric colour coding and time attenuation curve analysis might be a helpful tool that can provide real time intra-procedural quantitative data on pedal perfusion which can improve clinical outcomes.

Factors affecting lifespan following below-knee amputation in diabetic patients

IntroductionUntreatable foot problems in diabetics may require lower extremity amputation, which has a high level of patient mortality. This high mortality rate is worse than most malignancies. The present study aimed to identify parameters that can be used to estimate survival in DM patients undergoing below-knee amputations for diabetic foot problems. Materials and methodsA total of 470 patients (299 males, 171 females) with a mean age of 64.32 years who underwent below-knee amputation for diabetic foot problems between 2004 and 2014 were enrolled in the study. The length of time from the operation to time of death was recorded in days. Patient details were obtained, including age during surgery, BMI, oral antidiabetic and insulin usage, dialysis therapy history, lower extremity endovascular intervention, previous amputation at the same extremity, the need for stump revision surgery during follow-up, and above-knee amputation at the same site. Biochemical test results of pre-operative HbA1c, ESR, and levels of CRP, BUN, and creatinine were also obtained. ResultsA total of 333 patients (70.9%) died and 137 (29.1%) survived post-surgery. Survival rates were 90% in the first 7 days, 84% in the first 30 days, and 64% after the first year. Patient median life expectancy post-surgery was 930 ± 106 days. Hemodialysis treatment (p = 0.001), endovascular intervention (p = 0.04), sex (p = 0.004), age (p = 0.001), BUN level (p = 0.001), and duration of insulin use (p = 0.003) were shown to be effective predictors of mortality. ConclusionsLife expectancy is low (<3 years) in DM patients requiring below-knee amputations for untreatable foot problems. Survival could be predicted by duration of insulin use, age, sex, and renal insufficiency. Level of evidenceLevel IV, Therapeutic study.

Distal embolization during lower extremity endovascular interventions

ObjectiveDistal embolization (DE) during peripheral arterial endovascular interventions is a well-known complication that is poorly studied. The goal of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and effect of DE on the outcomes of lower extremity endovascular interventions (LEIs). MethodsAll LEIs between 2010 and 2014 in the Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) database were reviewed. Patient characteristics were analyzed to determine predictors of DE. LEIs involving the superficial femoral artery (SFA) were reviewed to assess the effect of type of treatment on DE. The outcomes examined were loss of patency, limb loss, and mortality after LEI involving the SFA. A multivariable regression was used to determine predictors of DE. ResultsThere were 10,875 procedures. The incidence of DE was 17.3 per 1000 procedures, and 68% required treatment (57% endovascular, 11% open surgery). DE was more common in patients treated for critical limb ischemia compared with claudication (relative risk [RR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-3.45; P = .006) and for emergency interventions compared with elective (RR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.22-7.30; P = .017). DE increased with the number of arteries treated (P < .0001) and with the length of occlusion (P < .0001). The SFA was the most commonly treated artery (4751 [43.7%]). In comparison with atherectomy and balloon angioplasty, stenting alone (RR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.17-0.73; P = .005), balloon angioplasty alone (RR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.13-0.41; P < .0001), and combined stenting and balloon angioplasty (RR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.17-0.49; P < .0001) were associated with a significantly lower risk of DE. DE was not significantly associated with loss of patency, major amputation, or mortality. ConclusionsThe incidence of DE during LEIs is 1% to 2% in the VSGNE database, and most patients are treated with additional endovascular interventions. The incidence increases in patients with critical limb ischemia and with the use of atherectomy.

Unplanned return to operating room after lower extremity endovascular intervention is an independent predictor for hospital readmission

ObjectiveHospital readmissions after surgical operations are preventable and are now counted as a quality metric. Patients with peripheral arterial disease often have several serious medical comorbidities. With advancements in endovascular technology and increasing comfort level of vascular surgeons, more and more patients with peripheral arterial disease are being treated with endovascular therapy. Most of these interventions are done as same-day operations. This study retrospectively reviewed the factors associated with hospital readmission after lower extremity endovascular interventions. MethodsThis study used the 2013 endovascular repair-targeted American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database and generalized 2013 general and vascular surgery Program User Files. Patient, diagnosis, and procedure characteristics of patients undergoing lower extremity endovascular surgery were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for hospital readmission ≤30 days after surgery. ResultsDuring 2013, 1096 patients (61% men, 39% women) underwent lower extremity endovascular interventions. Indications for operations included claudication (40%), critical limb ischemia with rest pain (19%), critical limb ischemia with tissue loss (35%), and others (6%) Among these patients, 147 (13.4%) were readmitted to the hospital ≤30 days after surgery, and ∼46% of all readmissions were ≤2 weeks after the discharge The following factors had significant associations with readmission: smoking (odds ratio [OR], 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-0.9), noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.9-3.2), dyspnea (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1-3.7), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6), body mass index >30 kg/m2 (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-5.1), dependent functional status (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.4-4.8), emergent surgery (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.9-9.6), and unplanned return to the operating room (OR, 8.3; 95% CI, 4.7-14.7). ConclusionsReadmission after lower extremity endovascular intervention is a serious complication. Various factors place a patient at a high risk for readmission. High body mass index, unplanned return to the operating room, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, nonsmoking status, dyspnea, dependent functional status, and emergency operation are independent risk factors for hospital readmission. Return to operating room is associated with an 8.3-fold increase in hospital readmission.

Impact of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors Use on Outcomes After Lower Extremity Endovascular Interventions From Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2006-2011).

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications are necessary in peripheral endovascular intervention, but a standardized approach has not yet been established. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use in endovascular lower extremity interventions decreased overall amputation rates. Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use in endovascular lower extremity interventions increased postprocedural bleeding and complications requiring intervention.

Factors Predicting Hospital Readmission after Lower Extremity Endovascular Interventions

Factors Predicting Hospital Readmission after Lower Extremity Endovascular Interventions

Fluoroscopy Time Is Not Accurate As A Surrogate For Radiation Exposure

Objective The Food and Drug Administration and the Vascular Quality Initiative still utilize fluoroscopy time as a surrogate marker for procedural radiation exposure. This study demonstrates that fluoroscopy time does not accurately represent radiation exposure and that dose area product and air kerma are more appropriate measures. Methods Lower extremity endovascular interventions ( N = 145) between 2013 and 2015 performed at an academic medical center on a Siemens Artis-Zee floor mounted c-arm were identified. Data was collected from the summary sheet after every case. Scatter plots with Pearson correlation coefficients were created. A strong correlation was indicated by an r value approaching 1. Results Overall mean AK and DAP was 380.27 mGy and 4919.2 µGym2. There was a poor correlation between fluoroscopy time and total AK or DAP ( r = 0.27 and 0.32). Total DAP was strongly correlated to cine DAP and fluoroscopy DAP ( r = 0.92 vs. 0.84). The number of DSA runs and average frame rate did not affect AK or DAP levels. Mean magnification level was significantly correlated with total AK ( r = 0.53). Conclusions Fluoroscopy time shows minimal correlation with radiation delivered and therefore is a poor surrogate for radiation exposure during fluoroscopy procedures. DAP and AK are more suitable markers to accurately gauge radiation exposure.

IP167. Patency at the Cost of Major Bleeding—the Dual-Antiplatelet Dilemma Following Lower Extremity Endovascular Intervention

IP167. Patency at the Cost of Major Bleeding—the Dual-Antiplatelet Dilemma Following Lower Extremity Endovascular Intervention