Dynamic obstruction of the external iliac artery in endurance athletes and its relationship to endothelial function: the case of a long distance runner

[Iliac endofibrosis in high-performance sports: an interdisciplinary diagnostic challenge]

OBJECTIVES

Iliac endofibrosis (IE) is a rare arterial disease in endurance athletes, especially cyclists and triathletes. The diagnosis is considered challenging and the latency from the onset of initial symptoms to diagnosis is often several years. Diagnostic options include determination of the ankle brachial index (ABI) after maximal exercise as a non-invasive procedure, as well as duplex sonography, CT or MRI angiography, and invasive angiography. The aim of this paper is to analyse in more detail this time lag to correct diagnosis from the first description in 1985 to the year 2021, as well as to identify the most important diagnostic tools for practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature research according to PRISMA criteria in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane databases, supplemented by a search in Google Scholar up to 10/18/2021.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 133 publications that dealt thematically with IE in endurance athletes. In 42 publications (40 case reports and 2 clinical trials), the diagnosis was confirmed intraoperatively, and in 32 (32/42; 74.4%), statements were made about the duration from the onset of the first symptoms to the final diagnosis (mean 45, median 36 months). This latency was constant over the entire observation period from 1985 to 2021, with no trend toward shortening. Twenty-four papers (24/42; 56%) reported detailed results of ABI determination as well as further diagnostic testing. In all cases, the ABI value decreased to less than 0.66 (in 5 case reports, this decrease was measured at rest; in 19 case reports, it occurred after stress), whereas further diagnostic testing by duplex sonography, DSA, MRA, or CTA revealed no abnormal findings in 3 cases (3/24; 12.5%) and showed no more than minor stenosis in 14 cases (14/24; 58.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

A drop in ABI after exercise is the most reliable method to diagnose iliac endofibrosis. This non-invasive and easy-to-perform examination should be integrated into the performance diagnostics of highly ambitious endurance athletes at risk. This may ideally prevent irreversible vessel wall damage by early diagnosis as well as a reduction of the presumed high number of undetected cases.

Dissecting aneurysm of common iliac artery in a long-distance runner

We present an unusual case of a long-distance runner suffering from acute dissection of a common iliac artery (CIA) aneurysm with endofibrotic lesions. He suffered from acute pelvic and abdominal pain after exercise. Computed tomography angiography confirmed the dissecting aneurysm of the left CIA without signs of rupture. After cutdown, resection of the CIA and iliac bifurcation as well as bypass grafting was performed. Histologic examination confirmed endofibrotic lesions without calcifications. Complicated iliac artery aneurysm could be the result of endofibrotic lesions. Clinicians should keep this in mind, even if physical examination findings and the ankle-brachial index are normal at rest and after exercise.

THE CONUNDRUM OF CLAUDICATION

Stable claudication has traditionally been treated conservatively by many clinicians as operative therapies involve considerable risk for a condition that is often slowly progressive and non-fatal. The relative safety of less invasive endovascular techniques brings potential survival benefits from the increased exercise tolerance that result. We aimed to revisit and clarify the aetiologies of intermittent claudication in a review of the rarer causes that can mimic atherosclerotic occlusive disease. An extensive search of Medline, Embase and the Cochrane databases was carried out to compile published work addressing the aetiology of claudication and specific non-atherosclerotic causes. The reference lists of these manuscripts were also searched for relevant articles. There are several vasculogenic and neurogenic causes for intermittent claudication, many of which are unrelated to atherosclerosis. Recognition of these rarer syndromes is essential when planning endovascular or operative management strategies. Consideration of non-atherosclerotic differential diagnoses is recommended when assessing the patient with intermittent claudication. This is particularly critical in the young patient whose pattern of symptoms and risk factors may not fit precisely with atherosclerosis.

Endofibrosis of Iliac Arteries in High-Performance Athletes: Diagnostic Approach and Minimally Invasive Endovascular Treatment

The aim of this article is to report our experience in the diagnosis of two cases of iliac artery endofibrosis or arteriopathy, a rare entity occurring in high-performance athletes, presenting with intermittent claudication (right-sided in both) after maximal exercise. External iliac artery endofibrosis or arteriopathy is a likely diagnosis in competitive athletes free of cardiovascular risk factors who present with leg claudication. Arteriography and a papaverine-assisted mean pressure gradient across the iliac arteries of more than 10 mmHg is a useful diagnostic approach. Moreover, balloon angioplasty of the iliac artery in that patient, in whom a pressure gradient was detected, resulted in symptomatic relief for 2 months followed by mild symptom recurrence. Thus, although balloon angioplasty is feasible and safe, it might not be adequate to treat this entity and, thus, its value remains undefined.

Non-traumatic lower limb vascular complications in endurance athletes. Review of literature

OBJECTIVES

To review the importance, clinical features, investigations, management and prognosis of non-traumatic vascular injuries, affecting the lower limbs of endurance athletes.

DESIGN

Review of literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted from Medline, Pubmed, the National Electronic Library for Health, Google and Yahoo search engines for related articles and case reports regarding non-traumatic vascular complications involving the lower limb of endurance athletes.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-traumatic vascular complications affecting the lower limbs include endofibrosis, stenosis/kinking of iliac arteries, dissection of external iliac artery, adductor canal syndrome, popliteal entrapment syndrome, chronic exertional compartment syndrome and effort-induced venous thrombosis. These are important as they affect athletes at the peak of their career and can be confusing to diagnose. The management is relatively well documented and produces good results in short term but the long term results are not known.

External Iliac Endofibrosis in Endurance Athletes: A Novel Case in an Endurance Runner and a Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

There is increasing recognition that high-performance athletes can develop symptomatic arterial flow restriction in one or both (15%) legs due to kinking and/or endofibrosis of their iliac arteries.

METHODS

Case report and review based on a Medline search of the literature.

RESULTS

A 51-year-old female, 24-hour endurance runner presented with a six-month history of rapidly progressing intermittent claudication affecting her right thigh and calf in the absence of classical risk factors for atherosclerosis. On the basis of invasive and non-invasive investigations, a provisional diagnosis of endofibrosis was made and she was treated successfully with angioplasty.

CONCLUSIONS

The epidemiology, optimal investigation and treatment of iliac endofibrosis in endurance athletes is poorly described. Each individual unit's experience is likely to be very small. A European register of such cases would increase our understanding of the condition and improve patient outcomes.