An Extension of the Bollinger Scoring System to Analyse the Distribution of Macrovascular Disease of the Lower Limb in Diabetes

Systemic outcomes of symptomatic peripheral artery disease patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing lower limb endovascular treatment: a propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the impact of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on systemic and localized outcomes in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients following endovascular therapy (EVT), with a focus on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included symptomatic PAD patients, categorized by the Rutherford classification, who underwent EVT at a single tertiary medical center from May 2018 to May 2021. Patients were divided into ESRD and non-ESRD groups. A propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was performed to minimize confounding factors. The primary outcome was the occurrence of MACCEs, while the secondary outcome was the incidence of major adverse limb events (MALEs).

RESULTS

ESRD patients exhibited significantly worse systemic outcomes, with higher MACCE rates compared to non-ESRD patients in both the entire cohort (79.9% vs. 39.9%; HR: 2.69; 95% CI: 1.80-4.02; p < 0.001) and the matched cohort (HR: 3.88; 95% CI: 2.30-6.53; p < 0.001). They also had higher rates of all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction (MI). For localized outcomes, MALEs were more frequent in the ESRD group in the entire cohort (61.0% vs. 34.9%; HR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.22-2.76; p < 0.001), but no significant difference was observed in the matched cohort (HR: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.76-1.99; p = 0.40). ESRD was identified as the sole independent predictor of increased MACCE risk (HR: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.65-3.75; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PAD patients with ESRD face significantly worse systemic outcomes, particularly elevated MACCE rates, after EVT. Preventing MACCEs, especially MI, is essential in this high-risk population. Despite more severe limb conditions, ESRD alone did not significantly increase MALE risk after PSM.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Correlation between the vascular resistance index and arteriography for assessment of the distal arterial bed in chronic limb threatening ischemia

Background

Patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) of the lower limbs (LL) undergo arteriography for revascularization surgery planning. Doppler ultrasound (DU) is non-invasive and can provide information about the distal arteries through measurement of the resistance index (RI).

Objectives

To correlate the Rutherford Angiographic Classification with the RI for assessment of the distal arterial bed of the LL.

Methods

A cross-sectional study, conducted at a public tertiary hospital with 120 patients with LL CLTI, from September 2019 to April 2022. The RI of arteries that were candidates for revascularization was compared with the images of the same arteries obtained using arteriography, using the Rutherford Angiographic Classification of the distal bed.

Results

A total of 120 LL were assessed in 120 patients with a mean age of 68.6 years. The sample was 50.0% male and 90.0% of the patients in the sample were classified as Rutherford category five. The RI values found for the arteries of the leg exhibited a statistically significant positive correlation with the Rutherford Classification (anterior tibial, p< 0.01; posterior tibial, p = 0.012 fibular, p = 0.034; and dorsalis pedis, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In this study, RIs for the arteries of the leg measured using Doppler ultrasound exhibited a positive correlation with the Rutherford Classification. This index could be useful for assessment of the distal arterial bed of the lower limbs of patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia.

A Modified Run-Off Resistance Score from Cross-Sectional Imaging Discriminates Chronic Critical Limb Ischemia from Intermittent Claudication in Peripheral Arterial Disease

Atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) leads to intermittent claudication (IC) and may progress into chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Scoring systems to determine the atherosclerotic burden of a diseased extremity have been developed. This study aimed to evaluate a modification of the run-off resistance (mROR) score for its usability in cross-sectional imaging. The mROR was determined from preoperative imaging of patients undergoing revascularization for PAD. A total of 20 patients with IC and 20 patients with CLTI were consecutively included. A subgroup analysis for diabetic patients was conducted. The mROR was evaluated for its correlation with disease severity and clinical covariates. Patients with CLTI were older; cardiovascular risk factors, diabetes, and ASA 4 were more frequent. The mROR scores were higher in CLTI than in IC. In diabetic patients, no difference was detected between CLTI and IC. In CLTI, non-diabetic patients had a higher mROR. The mROR score is positively correlated with the severity of PAD and can discriminate CLTI from IC. In diabetic patients with CLTI, the mROR is lower than in non-diabetic patients. The mROR score can be determined from cross-sectional imaging angiographies. It may be useful for clinicians helping with vascular case planning, as well as for scientific purposes.