Hybrid Revascularization for Aorto-Iliac Occlusive Disease with Common Femoral Artery Involvement: Early Outcomes of a Single Centre

OBJECTIVE

To study the early outcomes of aorto-iliac occlusive disease with common femoral artery involvement by hybrid methods of revascularization - iliac stenting with femoral endarterectomy. We report the initial experiences of a single centre and discuss issues that arose.

METHODS

Ninety-eight critical limb ischaemia (CLI) patients with aorto-iliac occlusive lesions TASC-II C and D were treated using HR between January 2017 and September 2020 in the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Clinical Hospital. Prospective data were recorded and analysed including demographics, technical success, 30-day and early patency outcomes, re-intervention, and death.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 65 ± 7.2 years (61 men and 37 women). Using classification by TASC-II, 77% of the lesions were class D. Technical success was seen in 98% of patients. Two patients underwent a crossover femoro-femoral bypass due to failure to re-enter the true lumen of the aorta during endovascular lesion crossing. There were no deaths during the 30-day period. No re-interventions for thrombosis were needed. Additional delayed bypass procedures were required in 19 patients (19.3%) with distal occlusions and minor and major tissue loss. The overall complication rate was 16.3% (16 patients). The 30-day patency rate was 100%. The median follow-up period was 18 months (range 1-36 months) with a primary patency rate of 87.2%, and cumulative primary assisted and secondary patency rate of 93.4%. Four patients died during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid revascularization is a safe and less traumatic method of managing aorto-iliac occlusive disease with common femoral artery involvement. Good early patency results and low major complication rates indicate that HR is an excellent alternative to traditional open surgery, especially for high-risk patients.

Long-term results after femoral thrombendarterectomy combined with simultaneous endovascular intervention in intermittent claudication and critical ischemia

Objective:

This population-based retrospective cohort study investigates long-term results of femoral thrombendarterectomy combined with simultaneous endovascular intervention of the iliac or femoropopliteal vessels, or both, with focus on freedom from recurrent intervention, limb salvage and survival.

Methods:

All patients undergoing femoral thrombendarterectomy and simultaneous endovascular intervention between 1999 and 2013 were included. Stratification was according to clinical symptoms, intermittent claudication or critical ischemia, with subgroups for rest pain and ulcer/gangrene, and for type of endovascular intervention, iliac, femoropopliteal or both. We assessed technical success, 30-day complications, freedom from recurrent intervention, survival and amputation free survival in all patients. Limb salvage was assessed in patients with critical ischemia.

Results:

We identified 151 operations in 143 patients with a total of 164 limbs treated. A total of 13 patients had bilateral and 8 patients had subsequent contralateral operations. Indication was intermittent claudication in 87 (57.6%) and critical ischemia in 64 (42.4%) operations. Thirty-day mortality, only observed in critical ischemia, was 5/64 (7.8%). Freedom from recurrent intervention after 5 years was 91% in intermittent claudication and 70% in critical ischemia. In total, 84% of the patients with claudication were improved at the end of the study. Limb salvage at 5 years was 75% in critical ischemia, 93% in rest pain and 64% in patients with ulcer or gangrene.

Conclusion:

Femoral thrombendarterectomy combined with endovascular iliac or femoropopliteal intervention has good and durable results in intermittent claudication and critical ischemia, especially in patients with rest pain. In most cases, a single operation is sufficient.

[Factors of adverse prediction of application of spinal cord stimulation with chronic pain syndrome in patients with critical lower limb ischemia]

AIM

To study the clinical dynamics in the long-term period after spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in patients with chronic pain syndrome and critical lower limb ischemia (CLLI) and to identify factors affecting the prognosis of SCS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The clinical dynamics was analyzed in 48 patients with pain syndrome and CLLI 1 year after SCS. Microcirculatory blood flow (MBF) was studied in the affected foot by laser-doppler flowmetry (LDF) (Perfusion Units (PU)) and transcutaneous oximetry (TcpO₂, mmHg.) using an occlusive test before and after SCS. The factors associated with negative clinical dynamics 1 year after SCS were determined.

RESULTS

In 74% of cases, SCS contributes to the improvement of clinical status (reduction of pain syndrome, increase in motor activity, healing of ulcers). After SCS, according to LDF and TcpO₂, the authors observed an increase in MBF and tissue metabolism - from 1.3 (0.7-2.8) to 6.2 (3.8-8.7) PU and from 14.5 (7.5-22.1) to 41.1 (26.4-57.6) mmHg, respectively with normalization of the MBF reserve during the occlusion test. Negative clinical dynamics after SCS is associated with high comorbidity, TcO₂ <10 mmHg and the duration of pain.

CONCLUSION

SCS contributes to the improvement of the clinical status of patients with chronic pain syndrome and CLLI. The negative dynamics is associated with high comorbidity, TcrO₂ <10 mmHg and the duration of pain.

Hybrid surgery for bilateral lower extremity inflow revascularization

OBJECTIVE

Aortobifemoral (ABF) bypass is the preferred method of bilateral inflow revascularization, with axillobifemoral (AXBF) bypass reserved for high-risk patients. Hybrid (HYB) surgery in the form of femorofemoral bypass and retrograde endovascular aortoiliac intervention is increasingly being used to achieve the same goal. This study compared the perioperative outcomes of HYB surgery with traditional surgery for bilateral inflow revascularization.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program files for the years 2012 to 2015 were reviewed, and all patients undergoing ABF bypass, AXBF bypass, and HYB surgery (femoral-femoral bypass and retrograde endovascular intervention) were included. Patients' demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes were compared between the three groups. A propensity-matched analysis was subsequently performed to compare HYB surgery with ABF bypass only. The χ² test and analysis of variance with post hoc analysis were conducted to evaluate between-group differences in risk factors and outcomes. SPSS statistical software (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) was used.

RESULTS

There were 1426 patients (ABF bypass, 976; AXBF bypass, 257; HYB surgery, 193). There were significant differences in the three populations of patients, with ABF bypass patients significantly more likely to have age <70 years (ABF bypass, 84.2%; AXBF bypass, 49.8%; HYB surgery, 58%; P < .001) and more likely to be independent (ABF bypass, 98%; AXBF bypass, 89.1%; HYB surgery, 93.2%; P < .001). Patients undergoing AXBF bypass were significantly more likely to be treated for critical limb ischemia (ABF bypass, 46.5%; AXBF bypass, 72.4%; HYB surgery, 51.8%; P < .001) under emergent conditions (ABF bypass, 0.9%; AXBF bypass, 5.1%; HYB surgery, 3.6%; P < .001). There was no difference in mortality between the three groups (P = .178). After propensity matching, a total of 571 patients with ABF bypass were compared with HYB surgery patients. HYB surgery patients had significantly less pneumonia (ABF bypass, 8.7%; HYB surgery, 1.6%; P < .001), unplanned intubation (ABF bypass, 7.7%; HYB surgery, 3.1%; P = .032), cardiac arrest (ABF bypass, 3.7%; HYB surgery, 0.5%; P = .025), transfusion (ABF bypass, 44.4%; HYB surgery, 18.1%; P < .001), and composite morbidity (ABF bypass, 55%; HYB surgery, 32.6%; P < .001). Patients undergoing ABF bypass had significantly higher mortality (ABF bypass, 4.2%; HYB surgery, 1%; P = .043) and 30-day reoperation (ABF bypass, 17.5%; HYB surgery, 9.3%; P = .009) and longer total hospital length of stay (ABF bypass, 9.79 ± 10.69 days; HYB surgery, 5.79 ± 9.72 days; P < .001). There was no difference in major amputation (P = .607) and readmission (P = .495) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

ABF bypass is the most common surgery for bilateral lower extremity revascularization in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database and continues to have good outcomes. In selected patients, HYB surgery was associated with improved perioperative, 30-day outcomes compared with ABF bypass.

Our experiences on endovascular and hybrid treatment of peripheral arterial diseases

Background

This study aims to present our experiences on endovascular and hybrid treatment of peripheral arterial diseases.

Methods

Between March 2008 and April 2016, 86 patients who underwent endovascular treatment and 17 patients who underwent hybrid treatment for peripheral arterial disease in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. The treatment approaches, success of treatments, complications and outcomes of these patients were studied.

Results

No mortality was seen during the procedures. Following the procedure, the patients were hospitalized in the intensive care unit under standard heparin treatment for six hours at least. Anticoagulation was maintained with low-molecular-weighted heparin for three days, followed by dual oral antiaggregant (acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg + clopidogrel 75 mg). Repeated Doppler ultrasonography revealed no in-stent thrombosis or restenosis at the site of ballooning during hospitalization. None of the patients with normal renal functions preoperatively experienced severe renal failure. Although nearly all femorodistal interventions were performed in the antegrade way, none of the patients had bleeding complications at the site of intervention. All patients were discharged within 1 to 16 days.

Conclusion

Endovascular and hybrid modalities are safe and comfortable in the treatment of peripheral arterial diseases for vascular surgeons having a hybrid room.

[Long-term outcomes of spinal neurostimulation in patients with critical lower limb ischemia]

AIM

To evaluate long-term outcomes of spinal neurostimulation (SNS) in patients with critical lower limb ischemia (CLI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Long-term outcomes of SNS were assessed in 52 CLI patients. Changes of clinical status were considered by using of Rutherford R.B. et al. scale. Before and in 12 months after SNS percutaneous oxygen partial pressure (TO₂, mm Hg) was measured at the affected lower limb at rest and in orthostatic test. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) was also determined.

RESULTS

SNS improved clinical status in most cases through following effects: 1) reduced pain syndrome and increased motor activity; 2) skin ulcers healing due to increased TO₂ and improved functional state of microcirculation. No augmentation of TO₂ during orthostatic test at TO₂ <10 mm Hg was associated with negative clinical dynamics after SNS (OR 3.2, CI 2.2-54.1, p=0.002). Coronary artery disease with supra-aortic vessels lesion was associated with reduced ABI after SNS (OR 2.1, CI 1.4-3.8, p=0.001).