Major Limb Amputation Research Articles

Indications and outcomes of major limb amputations in children aged 0-18 years in Douala general hospital and Laquintinie Hospital: a 10-year retrospective study

Indications and outcomes of major limb amputations in children aged 0-18 years in Douala general hospital and Laquintinie Hospital: a 10-year retrospective study

From Hospital to Home, following a Lower Limb Amputation: A Focus Group Study of Healthcare Professionals views an experience.

Introduction: Major limb amputations is often associated with loss- a loss of a limb but also independence. Patients undergoing lower limb amputations are often patients with multiple comorbidities, requiring care from numerous healthcare professionals (HCP). It is a patient population with complex needs and limited surplus that might benefit from an integrated care model. 
 Aim: This study aims to explore Health Care Professionals views and experiences during the transition process from Hospital to Home after a lower limb amputation, using the Safe Journey integrated care program.
 Patient population: Patients admitted to hospital for a lower limb amputation, and discharged using the Safe Journey integrated care program.
 Method: Two focus group interviews were conducted with 13 HCP’s from a Danish Hospital and three surrounding Municipalities. Included in both groups were nurses, occupational therapists and one physiotherapists. The interview was based on the following 5 questions, and the data was analyzed based on Braun and Clarke´s reflexive thematic analysis.
 -Which advantages of the systematic cross-sectoral collaboration did you find?
 -Which disadvantages of the systematic cross-sectoral collaboration did you find?
 -What do you consider to be most important issues regarding patients transfer?
 -What do you consider to be most important issues regarding collaboration?
 -How can we ensure safety and continuity when working with patient transfer?
 Results: Three themes were identified when analyzing the group interviews.
 -Becoming a team across sectors
 -Continuity of care as a driver of patients safety
 -Challenges in achieving safe transitions
 The Safe Journey integrated care program facilitated the construction of an interdisciplinary team and cross-sectoral communication and professional relations, increasing care continuity and patient’s safety. However, HCP’s experienced an increased workload, and The Safe Journey integrated care program was time consuming and required coordination and at-home patient’s visits.
 Conclusion: HCP’s found the The Safe Journey integrated care model to be valuable for patients undergoing major lower limb amputation and promotive of cross-sectoral professional relations, communication, continuity and patient safety. However, the model was time- and resource consuming compared to conventional models.
 Next step: Our next step will be to create a virtual model of the The Safe Journey integrated care program, to explore is the high quality can be maintained in a less time consuming model.

Sirolimus-Coated Balloon in Femoropopliteal Steno-Occlusive Disease: Efficacy, Safety, and 1-Year Outcomes. An All-Comers Registry

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the novel SLR (SELUTION sustained-limus-release) drug-coated balloon (DCB) in the treatment of the femoropopliteal steno-occlusive disease. Materials and Methods: From February 2021 to March 2022, 80 consecutive patients (age: 69.5±8.23 years; total number of lesions: 80) with a steno-occlusive lesion of superficial femoral artery were enrolled at our center. A total of 60 patients (75%) had claudication, whereas 20 (25%) had chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). The mean lesion length was 171±82.22 mm. The primary efficacy outcome was primary patency at 12 months, defined as freedom from restenosis determined by a duplex ultrasound peak systolic velocity ratio ≤2.4. The secondary efficacy outcome was freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) at 12 months. The primary safety outcome was a composite of freedom from device- and procedure-related mortality, major target limb amputation, and clinically-driven target lesion urgent revascularization (endovascular or bypass graft) at 30 days and 12 months. Results: Device success was achieved in all 80 patients. One death on day 7 from cardiovascular complications was ruled procedure-related because it occurred within the first 30 days from the discharge. Two patients with CLTI experienced planned minor amputations of target limb, and one patient underwent urgent bypass graft of the target vessel for early occlusion at 60 days from the index procedure. The primary safety outcome was 98.7% and 97.5% at 30 days and 12 months, respectively. At 1 year, primary patency was 86.3%, and freedom from CD-TLR was 96.2%. Conclusion: These findings suggest that using a novel sirolimus-coated balloon is a safe and effective treatment option for femoropopliteal steno-occlusive lesions in a variety of clinical and anatomical settings. These results will need to be confirmed by long-term follow-up and randomized controlled trials. Clinical Impact In femoropopliteal steno-occlusive lesions paclitaxel drug-coated devices have been proved to be able to achieve a better vessel patency during follow-up compared with uncoated balloon, but according to a recent meta-analysis they may carry an elevated risk of late mortality. Sirolimus results in a wider therapeutic range with a 3-fold higher margin of safety. Sirolimus coated devices have recently been proposed as an alternative. This study suggests that using a novel sirolimus-coated balloon is a safe and effective treatment option for femoropopliteal steno-occlusive lesions.

Posttraumatic Amputations Epidemiology and Outcomes Within the National Trauma Data Bank: Improved Survival Over Time Results in Increased Population in Need of Rehabilitation Support.

Acute trauma care has significantly reduced mortality over the last two decades. The last study to examine the epidemiology of traumatic amputees predates these gains. The majority of those who sustain traumatic amputation are male; therefore, limited data exist on female amputees. This study aimed to (1) provide a current epidemiological analysis of traumatic amputees and (2) compare male and female amputees. All patients sustaining a major limb amputation in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2013 to 2017 were identified. First, descriptive analyses of patient demographics and injury characteristics were performed and compared with a previous 2000-2004 National Trauma Data Bank study. Second, female and male traumatic amputees were compared in this study. From 2013 to 2017, we identified 7016 patients who underwent major limb amputation. Compared with previous years, the current amputees were older and more severely injured. Mortality was 6.3% in the current years compared with 13.4% in the previous years (odds ratio, 0.44, 95% CI = 0.37-0.51, P < 0.001). After multivariable analysis, mortality remained significantly decreased, with no difference in hospital length of stay. Contemporary National Trauma Data Bank analysis demonstrated that patients with traumatic amputations, regardless of sex, often survive until hospital discharge, despite more severe injuries.

Radiological evaluation before and after treatment with an osseointegrated bone-anchor following major limb amputation-a guide for radiologists.

Osseointegrated implants have been developed to allow direct skeletal fixation of a prosthesis as an alternative to traditional socket-fitted prostheses for patients who have suffered from a major limb amputation. The implants contribute to improvements in functional outcome and quality of life and radiological evaluation plays a crucial role in pre- and post-operative assessment. This article acts as a guide for radiologists who may be tasked with providing the radiological information required by surgeons and prosthetists. We also look at the radiological appearances of complications that may arise in patients treated with an osseointegrated implant. Plain X-rays are used to screen patients who wish to undergo treatment. Limb-length X-rays are then used to measure the length of any residual bone, and comparisons can be made with the normal side (if present). From this, decisions about the likely size of the implant and the need for further amputation can be made. CT scans enable accurate assessment of the medullary cavity and cortical thickness. Post-operatively, plain X-rays form the mainstay of the routine monitoring of the bone-implant interface. Potential complications include infection, aseptic loosening, mechanical fracture of the implant and periprosthetic fracture. Infection and aseptic loosening can be seen as a lucency at the bone-implant interface which (if left untreated) can lead to loss of the implant. Implant and periprosthetic fractures are radiographically obvious. Radiologists involved in the care of patients undergoing treatment with an osseointegrated implant should become familiar with the imaging requirements so they can contribute to optimal patient outcomes.

The impact of comorbidities on mortality in patients with non-traumatic major lower extremity amputation

Objective: Major lower limb amputation is generally associated with a high risk of early and late-term mortality. In this study, 30-day, one-year and three-year mortality of non-traumatic major lower extremity amputations and comorbidities affecting the mortality rate were investigated. Method: Patients who underwent a major lower limb amputation secondary to diabetes or peripheral artery disease between the years 2010–2015 were retrospectively evaluated. Additional to patient demographic data and comorbidities, amputation level, survival and mortality time were extracted. Mortality rates after 30 days, one year and three years were analysed. The associations of the survival to different parameters were evaluated with Kaplan–Meier analysis and log rank test, while the impact of the risk factors on mortality was evaluated with the Cox regression test. Results: A total of 193 patients were enrolled in the study. Approximately 60% of patients were aged ≥65 years, and 65.8% were male. Below-knee amputation was performed in 64.8% of patients and above-knee amputation in 35.2% of patients. The mean follow-up of patients was 29.48 months (range: 0–101 months). After non-traumatic major lower extremity amputation, 30-day, one-year and three-year mortality were 16.6%, 38.3% and 60.1%, respectively. On Cox regression analysis, age ≥65 years was the only variable that had significant impact on the 30-day mortality (hazard ratio (HR): 3.4; p=0.012), while age ≥65 years (HR: 2.5, p=0.000), diabetes (HR: 2, p=0.006) and renal failure (HR: 2, p=0.001) were found to have significant impacts on three-year mortality. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that &gt;50% of patients with non-traumatic major lower limb amputations died within three years. Advanced age, diabetes and renal failure were the risk factors that increased the mortality. The high mortality rates revealed the importance of employing all hard-to-heal wound treatment options before making an amputation decision. Further, prospective studies are needed to determine the effects of primary disease status and timing of amputation on mortality.

Head-to-Head Comparison of 2 Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons for Femoropopliteal Lesions

BackgroundThere is a scarcity of published head-to-head comparisons between different paclitaxel-coated angioplasty balloons. More prospective safety data to support the health care economic reimbursement processes are needed. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to report the safety and efficacy of the Passeo-18 Lux drug-coated balloon (DCB) (Biotronik AG) for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral artery disease caused by stenosis, restenosis, or occlusion of the femoral and/or popliteal arteries. MethodsA total of 302 patients were randomized 1:1 and assigned to the Passeo-18 Lux DCB (study device) group or the IN.PACT Admiral DCB (control device, Medtronic Vascular) group for testing of noninferiority. The primary efficacy endpoint was freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization at 12 months. The primary safety endpoint was a composite of freedom from device-/procedure-related death through 30 days postindex procedure, major target limb amputation, and clinically driven target vessel revascularization at 12 months. ResultsAt 12 months, 130 of 134 patients in the IN.PACT Admiral group had freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (97.0%) compared with 137 of 141 patients in the Passeo-18 Lux group (97.2%). The primary safety endpoint showed 96.3% in the control group vs 95.7% in the study device group. The null hypothesis of inferiority on both efficacy and safety was rejected. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of primary patency at 1 year was 88.7% in the control arm vs 91.5% in the study device arm. ConclusionsThe Passeo-18 Lux and the IN.PACT Admiral DCBs demonstrate comparable results with excellent effectiveness and safety through 12 months for femoropopliteal interventions.

Effect of health literacy and socioeconomic deprivation on outcomes after lower limb surgical revascularisation for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia: the HeaLTHI study

Introduction: Research has suggested a relationship between health literacy, socioeconomic status and health-related outcomes. The aim of the study was to study the association between health literacy, socioeconomic status and outcomes following infra-inguinal bypass surgery for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI). Methods: Patients with CLTI undergoing lower limb surgical bypass graft operations between January 2016 and December 2018 were included in a cross-sectional observational study. The HLS19-Q12 questionnaire categorised participant’s health literacy as inadequate, problematic, sufficient or excellent. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). Primary outcomes were major lower limb amputation (MLLA) and adverse cardiovascular events. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, and early postoperative complications including pneumonia, surgical site and graft infection. Kaplan– Meier survival curves were used to compare health literacy and amputation, and Cox proportional regression analysis was conducted to identify differences in limb loss risk against health literacy and social deprivation levels. Results: The study consisted of 50 patients with an average age of 70±8.7 years. The participants' levels of health literacy were classified as inadequate (28%), problematic (38%), sufficient (24%) or excellent (10%). Approximately 40% of the patients lived in the most deprived areas. While all health literacy groups had similar postoperative outcomes, low health literacy was connected with lower socioeconomic status (r=0.308, p=0.029). IMD (p=0.017, HR 0.502 (95% CI 0.285 to 0.883)) and haemoglobin (p=0.001, HR 0.919 (95% CI 0.872 to 0.968)) were significant predictors of MLLA. Conclusion: Patients with lower health literacy are more likely to face higher levels of social deprivation, which may predict amputation following bypass surgery. Enhancing health literacy could play a role in reducing health disparities caused by social deprivation, thereby potentially addressing a vascular James Lind Alliance priority.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Atherectomy Plus Balloon Angioplasty Versus Balloon Angioplasty Alone for Infrapopliteal Arterial Disease.

The article aimed to compare the efficiency and safety of atherectomy plus balloon angioplasty (BA) with BA alone for the treatment of infrapopliteal arterial disease. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library database were searched for studies comparing atherectomy plus angioplasty and angioplasty alone in treating infrapopliteal artery lesions until November 2022. The endpoints included technical success, primary patency, clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), periprocedural complications, distal embolization, target limb major amputation, and all-cause mortality. Ten studies met the requirements of our meta-analysis, including 7723 patients in the atherectomy plus BA group and 2299 patients in the BA alone group. The meta-analysis showed that atherectomy plus BA was associated with reduced CD-TLR (odds ratio [OR]: 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34, 0.78, p=0.002) and target limb major amputation (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19, 1.01, p=0.05) at 12-month follow-up. No statistically significant difference was found in technical success, primary patency, periprocedural complications, distal embolization, or all-cause mortality. Subgroup analysis found a higher rate of primary patency at 6 and 12 months (6 months: OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.11, 4.60, p=0.02; 12 months: OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.16, 4.86, p=0.02), and lower rates of CD-TLR (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.82, p=0.009) and target limb major amputation (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19, 1.01, p=0.05) at 12 months in patients treated with atherectomy plus drug-coated balloon (DCB) but not in patients treated with atherectomy plus plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA). This meta-analysis suggests that compared with BA alone, atherectomy plus BA may reduce the need for CD-TLR and the incidence of target limb major amputation at 12-month follow-up in the treatment of infrapopliteal artery occlusive lesions, even though there are no significant advantages in technical success, primary patency, periprocedural complications, distal embolization, or all-cause mortality. To go further, atherectomy plus DCB shows significant benefits in primary patency, CD-TLR, and target limb major amputation rate but atherectomy plus POBA does not'. However, due to the limitations of this article, more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed to confirm these conclusions. According to our research, atherectomy combined with BA has the advantages of higher primary patency rate, lower CD-TLR and target limb significant amputation rate in treating infrapopliteal artery occlusive lesions, which may replace the current mainstream surgical method ---BA alone. For the clinician, although the surgery may take longer, it will significantly improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients and hold considerable significance for the management of patients with infrapopliteal arterial disease. Based on the characteristics of infrapopliteal artery disease, this study explored the feasibility of atherectomy combined with BA for infrapopliteal artery disease. Moreover, we found that atherectomy combined with DCB had better clinical efficacy, which should be the innovation of this study.

Outcomes and use of healthcare resources after an intervention for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia.

The fate of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia undergoing revascularization or a primary amputation is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the postoperative outcomes and post-procedural healthcare resource use/costs over 1 year after revascularization or a primary amputation for chronic limb-threatening ischaemia. The UK Kent Integrated Dataset, which links primary, community, and secondary care for 1.6 million people, was interrogated. All patients with a new diagnosis of chronic limb-threatening ischaemia undergoing revascularization or a major amputation between January 2016 and January 2019 (3 years) were identified. Postoperative events across all healthcare settings and post-procedure healthcare resource use were analysed over 1 year (until the end of 2019). Overall, 4252 patients with a new diagnosis of chronic limb-threatening ischaemia were identified (65 per cent were male and the mean age was 73 years) between January 2016 and January 2019, of whom 579 (14 per cent) underwent an intervention (studied population); 296 (7 per cent) had an angioplasty, 75 (2 per cent) had bypass surgery, 141 (3 per cent) had a primary major lower limb amputation, 11 had a thrombo-embolectomy (0.3 per cent), and 56 had an endarterectomy (1.3 per cent). Readmissions (median of 2) were similar amongst different procedures within 1 year; bypass surgery was associated with more hospital appointments (median of 4 versus 2; P = 0.002). Patients undergoing a primary amputation had the highest number of cardiovascular events and 1-year mortality. In a linear regression model, index procedure type and Charlson co-morbidity index score were not predictors of appointments in primary/secondary care, community care visits, or readmissions after discharge. There were no statistically significant differences regarding post-procedural healthcare costs between procedures over 1 year. Revascularization is not associated with more hospital, primary/community care appointments or increased post-procedural healthcare costs over 1 year when compared with primary amputation, in people with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia.

A New Drug-Coated Balloon for the Treatment of Superficial Femoropopliteal Artery Disease: 12-Month Results from the IN-DEPT SFA Trial

PurposeTo report the outcomes of the IN-DEPT trial assessing the feasibility, preliminary safety data, and 12-month outcomes of a new drug-coated balloon (DCB) product for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Chinese patients. Materials and MethodsThis is a prospective, multicenter, single-arm clinical trial. A total of 160 patients with superficial femoral artery (SFA) and/or proximal popliteal artery lesions were treated with a new paclitaxel-coated DCB. The preliminary effectiveness end point was 12-month primary patency. The primary safety end point was freedom from device- and procedure-related mortality over 30 days and freedom from major target limb amputation and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) within 12 months after the index procedure. ResultsIn total, 160 patients presented with 162 target lesions. A total of 139 lesions (85.8%) were treated with 1 DCB, whereas the other 23 lesions (14.2%) were treated with 2 devices. The device success rate was 100%. A total of 135 subjects reached the preliminary effectiveness end point, with a 12-month primary patency rate of 84.4%. There was no 30-day device- or procedure-related death or unplanned major target limb amputation at 12 months. Five CD-TLRs (3.1%) occurred during the 12-month follow-up period. ConclusionsResults from the IN-DEPT SFA trial showed satisfactory feasibility and safety of the new DCB over 12 months in Chinese patients with PAD and femoropopliteal de novo lesions, including both stenoses and total occlusions.

Association of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender to Disparities in Functional Recovery and Social Health After Major Lower Limb Amputation: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study

ObjectiveTo assess if evidence of disparities exists in functional recovery and social health post-lower limb amputation. DesignRace-ethnicity, gender, and income-based group comparisons of functioning and social health in a convenience sample of lower limb prosthetic users. SettingProsthetic clinics in 4 states. ParticipantsA geographically diverse cohort of 56 English and Spanish speaking community-dwelling individuals with dysvascular lower limb amputation, between 18-80 years old. InterventionsNone. Main Outcomes MeasuresPrimary outcomes included 2 physical performance measures, the Timed Up and Go test and 2-minute walk test, and thirdly, the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility. The PROMIS Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities survey measured social health. ResultsOf the study participants, 45% identified as persons of color, and 39% were women (mean ± SD age, 61.6 (9.8) years). People identifying as non-Hispanic White men exhibited better physical performance than men of color, White women, and women of color by -7.86 (95% CI, -16.26 to 0.53, P=.07), -10.34 (95% CI, -19.23 to –1.45, P=.02), and -11.63 (95% CI, -21.61 to –1.66, P=.02) seconds, respectively, on the TUG, and by 22.6 (95% CI, -2.31 to 47.50, P=.09), 38.92 (95% CI, 12.53 to 65.30, P<.01), 47.53 (95% CI, 17.93 to 77.13, P<.01) meters, respectively, on the 2-minute walk test. Income level explained 14% and 11% of the variance in perceived mobility and social health measures, respectively. ConclusionsStudy results suggest that sociodemographic factors of race-ethnicity, gender, and income level are associated with functioning and social health post-lower limb amputation. The clinical effect of this new knowledge lies in what it offers to health care practitioners who treat this patient population, in recognizing potential barriers to optimal recovery and quality of life. More work is required to assess lived experiences after amputation and provide better understanding of amputation-related health disparities.

Prosthetic Conduit Use Does Not Adversely Impact Outcomes after Open Repair of Popliteal Artery Aneurysms

Single segment, greater saphenous vein (GSV) conduit is considered the optimal bypass conduit among patients undergoing bypass surgery for peripheral artery disease (PAD). While this data has been extrapolated to patients undergoing bypass for popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA), the pathophysiology of PAA is inherently different when compared to PAD, and the impact of conduit type on long-term outcomes after open repair of PAA remains unclear. A multicenter database of five regional hospitals was retrospectively reviewed for all patients with PAA undergoing open surgical repair. Data were collected on demographic information, operative details, medications, and postoperative outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare freedom from major adverse limb events (MALE) following GSV versus prosthetic bypass. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify patient-level characteristics associated with MALE, which was defined as major ipsilateral limb amputation or reintervention for graft patency. From 1999-2020, a total of 101 patients with PAA underwent open exclusion and bypass surgery. Median follow-up period was 4.2 years (interquartile range, 1.3-7.4 years), and complete data were available for 99 (98.0%) patients. The majority of patients were male (99.0%) and Caucasian (93.9%). Only 11.1% of procedures were emergent, with the remainder (88.9%) being elective. All patients underwent medial exposure with a below-knee popliteal bypass target (100%). Bypass conduits included GSV (69.7%), prosthetic conduit (28.3%), and two (2.0%) alternative conduits (one spliced arm vein, one cryopreserved vein). Patients undergoing prosthetic bypass were older (72 vs 66 years, p=0.001) and had similar rates of medical comorbidities. Compared with the GSV group, patients with prosthetic conduits were more frequently placed on postoperative anticoagulation (60.7% vs 23.2%, p<0.001). Conduit type did not impact postoperative complication rates (p=NS each). MALE rates were low overall (19.2% at two years), and similar when stratified by conduit type (log rank p=0.47). On multivariable analysis, emergent bypass was associated with MALE (hazard ratio [HR] 5.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.07-15.85, p<0.001). Prosthetic conduit usage (HR 1.00, 95% CI, 0.40-2.51, p=0.99) and postoperative anticoagulation (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.42-2.50, p=0.97) were not associated with MALE. Open repair of PAA is associated with excellent long-term outcomes. Prosthetic bypass is a comparable alternative to autogenous conduit for below-knee popliteal bypass targets, and lack of suitable GSV should not prohibit open surgical repair when indicated.

Failure-to-Salvage After Femoropopliteal Bypass Surgery is Associated With Nonmodifiable Risk Factors

IntroductionBypass graft failure and major amputation are among the worst complications after femoropopliteal bypass surgery. In this large multicenter analysis, we examined our incidence and risk factors for failure-to-salvage (FTS) following either bypass surgery or bypass graft failure. MethodsA regional multicenter database was retrospectively queried for all femoropopliteal bypass procedures performed between 2002 and 2021. Re-do bypasses were excluded. The primary outcome was FTS, defined as major ipsilateral limb amputation within 90 d following index bypass surgery or bypass graft failure. Bypass graft failure was defined as critical stenosis or occlusion of the bypass graft requiring reintervention. Graft rescue was defined as bypass graft failure without subsequent major ipsilateral limb amputation within 90 d. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify factors associated with bypass graft failure and FTS. ResultsOver the study period, 1315 femoropopliteal bypass procedures were performed across five hospitals. There were 25 major amputations within 90 d of initial bypass. Bypass graft failure was diagnosed in an additional 503 (38.3%) patients. Mean time to graft failure was 619 d. On multivariable analysis, bypass for tissue loss (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.38 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.83], P = 0.03) was associated with graft failure. Of patients with graft failure, 33 had major amputation, leading to an overall FTS incidence of 4.4% (n = 58) over a mean follow-up period of 3.4 y. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, and bypass conduits were similar between the FTS and graft rescue groups (n = NS each). The FTS group more frequently underwent bypass for tissue loss (51.7% versus 29.8%, P = 0.002), and an infrageniculate bypass target was more frequently utilized in FTS compared to graft rescue patients (81.0% versus 60.4%, P = 0.002). Anticoagulation (34.5% in FTS versus 37.7% in rescue) and dual antiplatelet therapy (15.5% versus 22.1%, respectively) were similar between groups (P = NS each). On multivariable analysis, factors associated with FTS included infrageniculate target (aOR 2.42 [95% CI 1.22-4.08], P = 0.01), black race (aOR 2.47 [95% CI 1.04-5.84], P = 0.04), and bypass for tissue loss (aOR 4.75 [95% CI 1.41-16.0], P = 0.01). Anticoagulation and dual antiplatelet therapy were not associated with loss of graft patency or FTS. ConclusionsFailure-to-salvage after femoropopliteal bypass surgery is associated with nonmodifiable factors, and may represent progression of underlying disease. These data may help inform vascular surgeons in counseling patients with failing bypass grafts. Further investigation of care delivery factors improving likelihood of graft salvage may be warranted.

Utilization of Deep Vein Arterialization for Limb Salvage

The utilization of deep vein arterialization (DVA) is a feasible and successful operative strategy for patients with severe chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) with no open or endovascular surgical options other than major limb amputation. The DVA technique creates a connection, either percutaneously or surgically, between a source of arterial inflow and venous outflow, allowing distal blood flow to heal chronic wounds that otherwise would have required amputation. In this case report, we describe a single patient with CLTI and nonreconstructable arterial disease and a chronic nonhealing wound who underwent a percutaneous DVA procedure with improvement in their ischemic rest pain and complete healing of their wound.

Investigating the impact of suboptimal prescription of preoperative antiplatelets and statins on race and ethnicity-related disparities in major limb amputation.

Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic patients with symptomatic PAD may receive different treatments than White patients with symptomatic PAD. The delivery of guideline-directed medical treatment may be a modifiable upstream driver of race and ethnicity-related disparities in outcomes such as limb amputation. The purpose of our study was to investigate the prescription of preoperative antiplatelets and statins in producing disparities in the risk of amputation following revascularization for symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). We used data from the Vascular Quality Initiative, a vascular procedure-based registry in the United States (2011-2018). We estimated the probability of preoperative antiplatelet and statin prescriptions and 1-year incidence of amputation. We then estimated the amputation risk difference between race/ethnicity groups that could be eliminated under a hypothetical intervention. Across 100,579 revascularizations, the 1-year amputation risk was 2.5% (2.4%, 2.6%) in White patients, 5.3% (4.9%, 5.6%) in Black patients, and 5.3% (4.7%, 5.9%) in Hispanic patients. Black (57.5%) and Hispanic patients (58.7%) were only slightly less likely than White patients (60.9%) to receive antiplatelet and statin therapy. However, the effect of antiplatelets and statins was greater in Black and Hispanic patients such that, had all patients received these medications, the estimated risk difference comparing Black to White patients would have reduced by 8.9% (-2.9%, 21.9%) and the risk difference comparing Hispanic to White patients would have been reduced by 17.6% (-0.7%, 38.6%). Even though guideline-directed care appeared evenly distributed by race/ethnicity, increasing access to such care may decrease health care disparities in major limb amputation.

Health Care Utilization After Major Limb Loss in Adults (18-64) Receiving Care in the Military Health System From 2001 to 2017

ObjectiveTo characterize and quantify health care utilization of Military Health System beneficiaries with major limb loss. DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingMilitary treatment facilities and civilian health care facilities that accept TRICARE insurance across the United States. ParticipantsA total 5950 adult Military Health System beneficiaries with major limb amputation(s) acquired between January 1st, 2001, and September 30th, 2017 (N=5950). InterventionsNot applicable. Main Outcome MeasuresThis study was an exploratory analysis designed to identify common care specialties, services, and devices utilized by Military Health System beneficiaries with major limb loss. ResultsMost beneficiaries were retirees/dependents (63.3%), men (73.1%), and had a single amputation (88.7%), with a mean age of 42 years. Differences between beneficiary categories were found. Active-duty service members used a larger proportion of inpatient, emergency, primary care, physical and occupational therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and psychiatry services than retirees/dependents. Most common procedures included “revision of amputation stump” (57.2%) for the active-duty population and “other amputation below knee” (24.3%) for the retirees/dependents. ConclusionsThese findings highlight the rehabilitation trajectories of beneficiaries receiving treatment for major limb loss in military and civilian care settings. The results could inform staffing decisions and training programs for military treatment facilities, American trauma centers, rehabilitation hospitals, and outpatient health care providers treating individuals with amputation.

The Saskatchewan Lower Extremity Wound Pathway: A Missed Opportunity

In 2013, the Lower Extremity Wound Pathway (LEWP) was one of two provincial pathways initiated in Saskatchewan to standardize patient care and remove surgical bottlenecks. The multidisciplinary pathway was led by vascular surgery and family medicine. The result of the pathway was a significant increase in wound referrals to vascular surgery, with a trend towards decreased major limb amputation. However, this led to increased demand in one tertiary hospital in Saskatoon, ultimately overwhelming local hospital resources and leading to the suspension of the pathway.

Post-operative transfusion is associated with infrainguinal bypass graft failure: contemporary Australian tertiary centre experience.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an increasingly prevalent and highly morbid pathology affecting the older population. Infra-inguinal bypass (IIB) surgery remains a robust revascularization option in these patients. This study aimed to identify modifiable predictors associated with graft patency and functional outcomes in contemporary Australian vascular surgical practice. A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing IIB between 2010 and 2020 at a tertiary vascular surgery centre in Australia was performed. Data regarding patient demographics, co-morbidities, pre-operative investigations, bypass characteristics, and discharge outcomes were collected. Surveillance ultrasound scans were reviewed to gain information on graft patency and compliance up to 2 years post-operatively. The primary outcome was graft failure. Secondary outcomes were mobility status and amputation-free survival at 1 year. A total of 239 IIBs were performed on 207 patients during the 10-year period. Significant predictors for primary graft occlusion included regional referral (P < 0.01), low pre-operative haemoglobin level (P < 0.01), post-operative transfusion requirement (P = 0.02), use of prosthetic conduit (P < 0.01) and non-compliance to ultrasound surveillance (P < 0.01). Patients with a thrombosed graft were 2.4 times more likely to experience deterioration in mobility status (P < 0.01) and 8.6 times more likely to have major limb amputation or death at 1 year. The amputation-free survival was 88.3% at 1 year. Optimization of pre-operative haemoglobin level for IIB should be advocated in clinical practice in order to reduce the risk of graft failure, deterioration in ambulatory function, major limb amputation and mortality.

174 Functional Outcomes in Older Patients Following Major Limb Amputation

Abstract Aim More than 5,000 major limb amputations (MLA) are performed annually in the United Kingdom. The relationship between medical co-morbidity and frailty is complex and can have an adverse effect on both mortality and functional capacity. This may be particularly important for older patients. We have attempted to define functional outcome by describing place of discharge, functional capacity and limb-fitting. Method This was a retrospective review of a prospectively collated data set on MLA performed in a single Scottish Health Board (NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde). Older patients were defined as those over 80-years at the time of MLA. Primary outcome measures were place of discharge, functional capacity at the time of follow-up and successful limb fitting. Results There were 389 consecutive MLAs performed of which 33 were in patients over the age of 80-years. There were 3 (9.4%) inpatient deaths, and the median duration of stay was 57-days. Only 13 (43.3%) patients were discharged home to independent living. The remaining patients were discharged to either supported living or nursing home care. There were 13 (43.3%) patients who were discharged bed bound. Only 7 (21.2%) were successfully limb-fitted. At 12-months 22 (73.3%) of patients were dead. Conclusions MLA in older patients is associated with loss of function and therefore loss of independence. Most patients have died within a year of surgery. These data should help modify expectations for patients, families and clinicians and will help with the process of informed consent.