Acute Kidney Injury Following In-Patient Lower Extremity Vascular Intervention: From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry

Intravascular Imaging in Peripheral Endovascular Intervention: A Contemporary Review

Peripheral arterial disease affects more than 10 million individuals in the United States and over 200 million people worldwide. In the past, the majority of patients were treated with open bypass surgery, but an increasing number are now treated with minimally invasive peripheral endovascular intervention (PVI). To be successful, operators are reliant on the quality of the imaging data obtained during the case. This article reviews the data supporting the use of intravascular imaging in PVI, focusing specifically on lower extremity arterial interventions.

Acute Kidney Injury Due to Ureter Compression Following Iliac Venous Stenting

PURPOSE

To report the occurrence of acute postrenal kidney failure caused by external ureteral obstruction after iliac venous stent placement.

CASE REPORT

A 73-year-old male patient presented with a chronic swelling and feeling of heaviness of his right leg. The presence of venous thrombosis was excluded by duplex ultrasound (DUS). However, DUS revealed a high-grade non-thrombotic stenosis of the right external iliac vein which was confirmed by computed tomography venography. This stenosis was attributed to local scarring following prostatectomy, lymphadenectomy, and adjuvant radiation therapy for prostate cancer 7 years before. According to the clinical presentation, the patient underwent catheter-based revascularization by implantation of a dedicated venous stent in the external iliac vein. One day after this procedure, the patient experienced acute kidney failure, which was attributable to an incipient right-sided grade II hydronephrosis. Subsequent ureterorenoscopy demonstrated a stenotic lesion of the intermediate part of the ureter at the same level as the venous stent. Finally, ureteral stent placement resulted in the restoration of urinary drainage as well as resolution of acute kidney failure. This case report highlights the importance of considering nonvascular complications after venous stent placement and it stresses the importance of postprocedural clinical and laboratory surveillance and follow-up.

CLINICAL IMPACT

In recent years the number of endovenous stent implantations has significantly increased. In patients with clinically relevant iliofemoral obstructions, endovenous stent placement potentially reduces related symptoms and improves quality of life. However, endovenous stent placement may have an impact on peri-vascular structures, such as the ureters. This case report highlights the awareness of potential nonvascular complications, which might be caused by iliofemoral stent implantation.

Predictors for Irreversibility of Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Obesity After Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography

INTRODUCTION

Although contrast-induced (CI) acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in high-risk individuals requiring evaluation with contrast-enhanced angiography, the possible predictors of CI-AKI in patients with obesity are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate plausible factors associated with the irreversibility of CI-AKI in individuals with obesity undergoing contrast-enhanced computed tomography coronary angiography.

METHODS

A total of 96 adult patients with obesity and the KDIGO criteria of CI-AKI (increase of serum levels of creatinine ≥ 25% or ≥ 500 µmol/L at 48 h after procedure) were retrospectively screened from the cohort of 1833 patients who underwent iodine contrast medium (ICM)-enhanced computed tomography coronary angiography, and were included in the study. The patients were divided into two cohorts: 96 adult patients with obesity and recovery of CI-AKI in 7 days after initiating of the event, and 57 individuals with irreversibility of CI-AKI. Serum concentrations of conventional biochemistry and urine biomarkers [i.e., hemoglobin, creatinine, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR)] as well as natriuretic peptide, adropin, apelin, irisin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), were determined at baseline. The levels of creatinine were measured at baseline, at the event, and in 7 days after the event.

RESULTS

We identified 12 variables, which were associated with irreversibility of CI-AKI: age > 75 years [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22. P = 0.001], male gender (OR = 1.03, P = 0.042), stable coronary artery disease (OR = 1.06, P = 0.048), chronic kidney disease (CKD) 1-3 grade (OR = 1.60, P = 0.001), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (OR = 1.07, P = 0.046), baseline estimated GFR < 80 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR = 1.10, P = 0.040), UACR > 17.5 mg/g Cr (OR = 1.05, P = 0.048), TNF-alpha > 3.11 pg/mL (OR = 1.12, P = 0.001), and adropin < 2.43 ng/mL (OR = 1.18, P = 0.001). After adjustment for CKD and UACR > 17.5 mg/g Cr, only HFpEF (OR = 1.06, P = 0.042) and adropin < 2.43 ng/mL (OR = 1.11, P = 0.001) remained independent predictors of CI-AKI irreversibility. Yet, adropin < 2.43 ng/mL at baseline exerted sufficiently better predictive ability than both HFpEF and preexisting CKD 1-3 grade.

CONCLUSION

In a multivariate prediction model adjusted for CKD and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio > 17.5 mg/g Cr, low levels of adropin (< 2.43 ng/mL) in individuals with non-morbid obesity together with the presence of HFpEF were independent predictors of CI-AKI irreversibility after ICM-enhanced computed tomography coronary angiography.

Definition, Staging, and Role of Biomarkers in Acute Kidney Injury in the Context of Cardiovascular Interventions

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequently occurring complication of cardiovascular interventions, and associated with adverse outcomes. Therefore, a clear definition of AKI is of paramount importance to enable timely recognition and treatment. Historically, changes in the serum creatinine and urine output have been used to define AKI, and the criteria have evolved over time with better understanding of the impact of AKI on the outcomes. However, the reliance on serum creatinine for these AKI definitions carries numerous limitations including delayed rise, inability to differentiate between hemodynamics versus structural injury and assay variability to name a few.

Acute Kidney Injury Management Strategies Peri-Cardiovascular Interventions

In many countries, the aging population and the higher incidence of comorbid conditions have resulted in an ever-growing need for cardiac interventions. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of these interventions, associated with higher mortalities, chronic or end-stage kidney disease, readmission rates, and hospital and post-discharge costs. The AKI pathophysiology includes contrast-associated AKI, hemodynamic changes, cardiorenal syndrome, and atheroembolism. Preventive measures include limiting contrast media dose, optimizing hemodynamic conditions, and limiting exposure to other nephrotoxins. This review article outlines the current state-of-art knowledge regarding AKI pathophysiology, risk factors, preventive measures, and management strategies in the peri-interventional period.

Same-Day Discharge After Elective Percutaneous Transcatheter Cardiovascular Interventions

Percutaneous transcatheter interventions have evolved as standard therapies for a variety of cardiovascular diseases, from revascularization for atherosclerotic vascular lesions to the treatment of structural cardiac diseases. Concomitant technological innovations, procedural advancements, and operator experience have contributed to effective therapies with low complication rates, making early hospital discharge safe and common. Same-day discharge presents numerous potential benefits for patients, providers, and health care systems. There are several key elements that are shared across the spectrum of interventional cardiology procedures to create a successful same-day discharge pathway. These include appropriate patient and procedure selection, close postprocedural observation, predischarge assessments specific for each type of procedure, and the existence of a patient support system beyond hospital discharge. This review provides the rationale, available data, and a framework for same-day discharge across the spectrum of coronary, peripheral, and structural cardiovascular interventions.

Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in High-Risk Patients Undergoing Peripheral Vascular Interventions

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the use of prophylactic intravenous hydration (IV prophylaxis) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) angiography in reducing contrast associated-acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and determine the overall incidence and risk factors of CA-AKI in high-risk patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions (PVI). Method: Only patients undergoing elective PVI from 2017 to 2021 with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3-5 in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) database were included. Patients were grouped into IV prophylaxis vs no prophylaxis. The study's primary outcome was CA-AKI, defined as a rise in creatinine (>.5 mg/dL) or new dialysis within 48 hours following contrast administration. Standard univariate and multivariable (logistic regression) analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 4497 patients were identified. Of these, 65% received IV prophylaxis. The overall incidence of CA-AKI was .93%. No significant difference was seen in overall contrast volume (mean (SD): 66.89(49.54) vs 65.94(51.97) milliliters, P > .05) between the 2 groups. After adjusting for significant covariates, the use of IV prophylaxis (OR (95% CI): 1.54(.77-3.18), P = .25) and CO₂ angiography (OR (95%CI): .95(.44-2.08), P = .90) was not associated with a significant reduction in CA-AKI compared to the patients with no prophylaxis. The severity of CKD and diabetes were the only predictor of CA-AKI. Compared to patients with no CA-AKI, patients with CA-AKI were at risk of higher 30-day mortality (OR (95% CI): 11.09 (4.25-28.93)) and cardiopulmonary complications (OR (95% CI): 19.03 (8.74-41.39) following PVI (Both P < .001). Conclusion: Using a large national vascular database, our study demonstrates that prophylactic use of IV hydration and CO₂ angiography in high-risk CKD patients is not associated with a reduction in renal injury following PVI. Reduced kidney function and history of diabetes is an independent predictor of CA-AKI and patients that develop post-procedural AKI are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

Risk of Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Peripheral Angiography with Carbon Dioxide Compared to Iodine-Containing Contrast Agents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the comparative evidence on the risk of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) with CO₂ or iodinated contrast medium (ICM) for peripheral vascular interventions. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, Epistemonikos, PubMed-similar-articles, clinical trial registries, journal websites, and reference lists up to February 2022. We included studies comparing the risk of CA-AKI in patients who received CO₂ or ICM for peripheral angiography with or without endovascular intervention. Two reviewers screened the references and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. We extracted data on study population, interventions and outcomes. For the risk of CA-AKI as our primary outcome of interest, we calculated risk ratios (RRs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and performed random-effects meta-analyses. We identified three RCTs and five cohort studies that fully met our eligibility criteria. Based on a random-effects meta-analysis, the risk of CA-AKI was lower with CO₂ compared to ICM (8.6% vs. 15.2%; RR, 0.59; 95% CI 0.33-1.04). Only limited results from a few studies were available on procedure and fluoroscopy time, radiation dose and CO₂-related adverse events. The evidence suggests that the use of CO₂ for peripheral vascular interventions reduces the risk of CA-AKI compared to ICM. However, due to the relevant residual risk of CA-AKI with the use of CO₂, other AKI risk factors must be considered in patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions.

Management of Patients With Kidney Disease in Need of Cardiovascular Catheterization: A Scientific Workshop Cosponsored by the National Kidney Foundation and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), whereas those with established CVD are at risk of incident or progressive CKD. Compared with individuals with normal or near normal kidney function, there are fewer data to guide the management of patients with CVD and CKD. As a joint effort between the National Kidney Foundation and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, a workshop and subsequent review of the published literature was held. The present document summarizes the best practice recommendations of the working group and highlights areas for further investigation.

Appropriate Use of Intravascular Ultrasound During Arterial and Venous Lower Extremity Interventions

BACKGROUND

There has been growing use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during lower extremity arterial and venous revascularization. Observational data suggest that the use of IVUS can improve periprocedural and long-term outcomes, but largescale prospective data remain limited. Consensus opinion regarding the appropriate use of IVUS during peripheral intervention is needed.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this consensus document is to provide guidance on the appropriate use of IVUS in various phases of peripheral arterial and venous interventions.

METHODS

A 12-member writing committee was convened to derive consensus regarding the appropriate clinical scenarios for use of peripheral IVUS. The group iteratively created a 72-question survey representing 12 lower extremity arterial interventional scenarios. Separately, a 40-question survey representing 8 iliofemoral venous interventional scenarios was constructed. Clinical scenarios were categorized by interventional phases: preintervention, intraprocedure, and postintervention optimization. Thirty international vascular experts (15 for each survey) anonymously completed the survey instrument. Results were categorized by appropriateness using the median value and disseminated to the voting panel to reevaluate for any disagreement.

RESULTS

Consensus opinion concluded that IVUS use may be appropriate during the preintervention phase for evaluating the etiology of vessel occlusion and plaque morphology in the iliac and femoropopliteal arteries. IVUS was otherwise rated as appropriate during iliac and femoropopliteal revascularization in most other preintervention scenarios, as well as intraprocedural and postprocedural optimization phases. IVUS was rated appropriate in all interventional phases for the tibial arteries. For iliofemoral venous interventions, IVUS was rated as appropriate in all interventional phases.

CONCLUSIONS

Expert consensus can help define clinical procedural scenarios in which peripheral IVUS may have value during lower extremity arterial and venous intervention while additional prospective data are collected.

Longitudinal Assessment of Safety of Femoropopliteal Endovascular Treatment With Paclitaxel-Coated Devices Among Medicare Beneficiaries: The SAFE-PAD Study

IMPORTANCE

Paclitaxel-coated peripheral devices have been associated with increased mortality, yet this harm signal has not been replicated outside of meta-analyses of small trials.

OBJECTIVE

To provide a longitudinal assessment of the safety of femoropopliteal endovascular treatment with peripheral drug-coated devices (DCDs) among Medicare beneficiaries.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

SAFE-PAD (Safety Assessment of Femoropopliteal Endovascular Treatment With Paclitaxel-Coated Devices) was a retrospective cohort study designed with the US Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the noninferiority of mortality between DCDs and non-drug-coated devices (NDCDs) for femoropopliteal revascularization performed in 2978 inpatient and outpatient facilities in the US from April 1, 2015, through December 31, 2018. Evaluation of the primary outcome was assessed through May 31, 2020. Participants were Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries 66 years and older with 1 or more years of enrollment prior to femoropopliteal revascularization. Prespecified subgroups included low-risk cohorts, procedure location, disease severity, and device type. Inverse probability weighting was used to account for imbalances of observed characteristics. Sensitivity analyses were used to evaluate the potential influence of unmeasured confounding.

EXPOSURES

Treatment with DCDs vs NDCDs as determined by claims codes during the index procedure.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes included repeated hospitalization, repeated lower extremity revascularization, and lower extremity amputation. Falsification end points were acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia.

RESULTS

Of 168 553 patients, 70 584 (41.9%) were treated with a DCD. The mean (SD) age was 77.0 (7.6) years, 75 744 (44.9%) were female, 136 916 of 167 197 (81.9%) were White individuals, 85 880 of 168 553 (51.0%) had diabetes, 82 554 of 168 553 (49.0%) used tobacco, 78 665 of 168 553 (45.7%) had critical limb ischemia (CLI), and 13 296 of 168 553 (7.9%) had a prior amputation. Median follow-up was 2.72 years (interquartile range, 0.87-3.77; longest, 5.16 years). After weighting, the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was 53.8% with DCDs and 55.1% with NDCDs (hazard ratio [HR], 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94-0.97; noninferiority P < .001). Cox regression and instrumental variable analyses were consistent with the primary findings. No harm associated with DCDs was observed among subgroups, including those treated with stents (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-1.00) or balloons (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.92-0.96), with or without CLI (CLI: HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93-0.97; non-CLI: HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99), and those within the lowest quartile of total comorbidities (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this initial report from the SAFE-PAD cohort study, DCDs were found to be noninferior to NCDCs in respect to mortality through a median follow-up of 2.72 years. This finding remained robust in sensitivity analyses and was consistent across prespecified subgroups.