Frequency of Care and Mortality Following an Incident Diagnosis of Peripheral Artery Disease in the Inpatient or Outpatient Setting: The ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) Study

[Vascular rehabilitation for patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease]

Compared to patients with coronary heart disease, patients with PAD have a poorer attitude towards general practitioners with regard to the frequency of prescribing rehabilitative measures and controlling risk factors. The patients themselves do not perceive the increased cardiovascular risk and thus the need for lifestyle changes and compliance to the same extent as patients with coronary heart disease.The "Rehabilitation clinic with vascular expertise" certificate defines the criteria for fulfilling the specific structural and process requirements for vascular medicine.Due to the paradigm shift and the increasing importance of conservative therapy for patients with intermittent claudication, vascular rehabilitation can be the start of or support for the implementation of conservative therapy and thus ensure long-term patient compliance with regard to the implementation of drug therapy, lifestyle changes and the sustainability of gait training. For hospitalized patients, vascular rehabilitation closes the gap to more sustainable aftercare.Increasing demand will promote the development of vascular medical rehabilitation and increase awareness on the part of payers. This process is being scientifically monitored.The goal should be a care structure for patients with PAD that is regulated on an outpatient basis as part of a separate or adapted DMP program, that includes the quality standards of the "Interdisciplinary Vascular Centers" on an inpatient basis and that includes vascular medical rehabilitation with subordinate vascular sports groups.From the point of view of rehabilitation, the aim is for vascular rehabilitation to be recognized as an independent specialist area by the payers.

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

BACKGROUND

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).

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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%).

CONCLUSION

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.

Rehabilitation contributes to lower readmission rates for individuals with peripheral arterial disease: A retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Non-pharmacological interventions, such as rehabilitation, are crucial for the treatment of people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Although several studies have shown rehabilitation is effective in improving the functional prognosis of PAD, there is currently insufficient evidence regarding its effect on readmission rates.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the impact of rehabilitation on readmission rates for people with PAD.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the JMDC hospital database was performed on data from two groups of people aged ≥20 years who were hospitalized between 2014 and 2020 with PAD, as based on a previous diagnosis. Participants were divided according to whether they did, or did not, receive any form of rehabilitation as part of their treatment in hospital. The primary outcome was readmission rates at 30, 60, 90, and 180 days after initial admission. A one-to-one propensity score matching was used to compare readmission rates between rehabilitation and non-rehabilitation groups.

RESULTS

We included 13,453 people with PAD, of whom 2701 pairs (5402 subjects) were selected after being matched in the rehabilitation and non-rehabilitation groups. The rehabilitation group participants had significantly lower mortality and readmission rates at 30, 60, 90, and 180 days. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for both groups were 0.79 (0.69-0.91; 30 days), 0.81 (0.71-0.91; 60 days), 0.78 (0.69-0.88; 90 days), and 0.79 (0.71-0.88; 180 days).

CONCLUSIONS

This large, nationwide study found that rehabilitation treatment during hospitalization was associated with lower readmission rates and mortality for people following hospitalization with PAD and supports its inclusion as a standard PAD treatment.

Optimal Medical Management in Patients undergoing Peripheral Vascular Interventions for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia is associated with Improved Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Optimizing medical management and risk factor modification are underutilized strategies in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI), despite evidence of improved outcomes. The Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) registry is a tool to improve quality of vascular care. In this study, we used the VQI to evaluate trends in medical management in CLTI patients undergoing peripheral vascular interventions (PVI), and the impact of changes in management on overall survival (OS), amputation-free survival (AFS) and limb salvage (LS).

METHODS

Patients undergoing index PVI for CLTI between 2012-2016, with at least 24-month follow-up were identified from the national VQI registry. Patient details including smoking status and medication use, OS, LS, and AFS were analyzed with linear-by-linear association, t-test and logistic regression.

RESULTS

12,370 PVI were completed in 11,466 patients. There was a significant increase in infrapopliteal interventions (29.8% → 39.0%; P < .001) and PVI performed for tissue loss (TL) (59.1% → 66.5%; P < .001). The percentage of current smokers at time of PVI decreased (36.2% → 30.7%; P = .036). At discharge, statins were initiated in 25%, aspirin in 45% and P2Y12 therapy in 58% of patients not receiving these medications prior to PVI. Over the course of follow-up, dual antiplatelet (DAPT) (41.1% → 48.0%; P < .001), ACE-inhibitor (46.2% → 51.3%; P < .001), and statin (70.4% → 77.5%; P < .001) use increased. Combined DAPT, ACE-inhibitor and statin use increased from 33.6% → 39.6% (P=<.001). Significant improvement in 24-month OS and AFS was noted (OS, 90.9% → 93.7%; P = .002: AFS, 81.2% → 83.1%; P = .046) but not LS (89.6% → 89.0%; P = .83). Combined therapy with P2Y12 inhibitors, statins and ACE-inhibitors was an independent predictor of improved OS (HR 0.61; 0.39 - 0.96, P = .034). DAPT was independent predictor of improved LS (HR 0.83; 0.79 - 0.87, P < .007).

CONCLUSION

Antiplatelet, ACE-inhibitor and statin use increased over the study period and was associated with improved OS and AFS. Limb salvage trends did not change significantly over time, possibly due to inclusion of patients with higher disease burden or inadequate medical management. Medical management, although improved, remained far from optimal and represents an area for continued development.

A framework for perioperative care for lower extremity vascular bypasses: A Consensus Statement by the Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS®) Society and Society for Vascular Surgery

The Society for Vascular Surgery and the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society formally collaborated and elected an international, multi-disciplinary panel of experts to review the literature and provide evidence-based suggestions for coordinated perioperative care for patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass surgery for peripheral artery disease. Structured around the ERAS core elements, 26 suggestions were made and organized into preadmission, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative sections.

Outcomes among patients with peripheral artery disease in the Aspirin Dosing: A Patient-Centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-Term Effectiveness (ADAPTABLE) study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to understand the effects of aspirin dose on outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) as well as their participation in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

In a subanalysis of the Aspirin Dosing: A Patient-Centric Trial Assessing Benefits and Long-Term Effectiveness (ADAPTABLE) study, we compared aspirin doses (81 vs 325 mg) among participants with PAD and study participation metrics in patients with and without PAD. The primary outcome composite was all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke.

RESULTS

Among 14,662 participants enrolled in ADAPTABLE with PAD status available, 3493 (23.8%) had PAD. Participants with PAD were more likely to experience the primary composite (13.76% vs 5.31%, p < 0.001), all-cause mortality (7.55% vs 3.01%, p < 0.001), myocardial infarction (5.71% vs 2.09%, p < 0.001), stroke (2.45% vs 0.86%, p < 0.001), and major bleeding (1.19% vs 0.44%, p < 0.001). A higher aspirin dose did not reduce the primary outcome in patients with PAD (13.68% vs 13.84% in 81 mg and 325 mg groups; OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.88-1.25). Participants with PAD were less likely to enroll via email (33.0% vs 41.9%, p < 0.0001), less likely to choose internet follow-up (79.2% vs 89.5%, p < 0.0001), and were more likely to change their aspirin doses (39.7% vs 30.7%, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

ADAPTABLE participants with PAD did not benefit from a higher dose of aspirin and participated in the study differently from those without PAD. These results reinforce the need for additional PAD-specific research and suggest that different trial strategies may be needed for optimal engagement of patients with PAD. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02697916).

Multiple metabolic comorbidities and their consequences among patients with peripheral arterial disease

Older adults with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have increased risks of major cardiovascular events and hospitalization. Metabolic comorbidities, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, are common risk factors for these unfavorable health events. This study aimed to determine how multiple metabolic comorbidities affect the risk of adverse health outcomes in older adults with PAD. A retrospective cohort study was adopted using administrative claim data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Agency. The study sample included 3,122 older adults (≥ 65 years old) with at least one PAD diagnosis in an inpatient setting from 2011 to 2013 and who had at least one follow-up visit after hospitalization by 2018. The three metabolic comorbidities were defined as having at least two diagnostic claims or one prescription per year of anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, or anti-dyslipidemic medications for the corresponding diagnosis. The outcome variables included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and major adverse limb events (MALE). Kaplan-Meier survival curves demonstrated that PAD patients with more metabolic comorbidities had shorter MACE-free and MALE-free periods. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards analyses suggested significant additive effects of multiple metabolic comorbidities on increased risks of MACE and MALE among older adults with PAD. Lower socioeconomic status and non-metabolic comorbidities also increased the risk of MACE. Male sex, being young-old (65–74 years), and a higher proportion of inpatient claims increased the risk of MALE. The findings of this study suggest the need for a comprehensive care program for older adults with PAD and metabolic comorbidities. In addition, the healthcare utilization pattern should be considered when designing preventive care for older patients with comorbidities to manage PAD at an earlier stage.

A systematic review of patient-reported outcome measures patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) causes significant morbidity with profound negative effects on health-related quality of life. As the prevalence of peripheral artery disease and diabetes continue to rise in our aging population, the public health impact of CLTI has escalated. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become common and important measures for clinical evaluation in both clinical care and research. PROMs are important for the measurement of clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness and for shared decision-making on treatment options. However, the PROMs used to describe the experience of patients with CLTI are heterogeneous, incomplete, and lack specific applicability to the underlying disease processes and diverse populations. For example, certain PROMs exist for patients with extremity wounds, and other PROMs exist for patients with pain, and still others exist for patients with vascular disease. Despite this multiplicity of tools, no single PROM encompasses all of the components necessary to describe the experiences of patients with CLTI. This significant unmet need is evident from both published reports and contemporary large-scale clinical trials in the field. In this systematic review, we review the current use of PROMs for patients with CLTI in clinical practice and in research trials and highlight the gaps that need to be addressed to develop a unifying PROM instrument for CLTI.

An Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol Decreases the Use of Narcotics in Infrainguinal Bypass Patients

OBJECTIVES

"Enhanced recovery after surgery" (ERAS) protocols use a multisystem approach to target homeostatic physiology via opioid-minimizing analgesia. The aim of this study is to determine if an ERAS protocol for lower extremity bypass surgery improves pain control and decreases narcotics.

METHODS

From July 2020 through June 2021, all patients that underwent infrainguinal lower extremity bypass procedures were subject to the ERAS protocol and compared to a "pre-ERAS" group between June 2016 through May 2020. Preoperatively, ERAS patients were given celecoxib, gabapentin, and acetaminophen while postoperatively they were given standing acetaminophen, gabapentin, ketorolac, and tramadol with as needed use of oxycodone. Pain scores were recorded using a numerical rating pain scale. Demographics, length of stay, 30-day complications, and disposition metrics were recorded.

RESULTS

There were 50 patients in the ERAS group, compared to 114 before its implementation. The mean age was 70.5 (ERAS group) versus 68.7 (pre-ERAS group) and a majority were male (P > .05). Enhanced recovery after surgery patients were less likely to have chronic kidney disease (P = .01). Enhanced recovery after surgery patients had improved length of stay (3.6 ± 2.3 days vs 4.8 ± 3.2 days, ERAS vs pre-ERAS, P = .01). There was no significant difference between groups for the remaining demographics (P > .05). One patient (2%) in the ERAS group used patient-controlled analgesia, compared to 30 patients (26%) in the pre-ERAS group (P < .001). Cumulative pain control in the first 12 hours was significantly better in the ERAS group (P = .05). Pain control at discharge was similar between the 2 groups (3 pain score vs 3 pain score, pre-ERAS vs ERAS, P > .05).

CONCLUSION

Our study utilized a multisystem approach to optimize the physiologic stress response to vascular surgery while reducing high potency narcotic use. We show that an ERAS protocol provides noninferior pain control with less potent pain medication and improves the length of stay for patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass surgery.

Metabolomics of peripheral artery disease

The science of metabolomics has emerged as a novel tool for studying changes in metabolism that accompany different disease states. Several studies have applied this evolving field to the study of various cardiovascular disease states, which has led to improved understanding of metabolic changes that underlie heart failure and ischemic heart disease. A significant amount of progress has also been made in the identification of novel biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Another common atherosclerotic disease, peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects arteries of the lower extremities. Although certain aspects of the disease pathophysiology overlap with other cardiovascular diseases in general, PAD patients suffer unique manifestations that lead to significant morbidity and mortality as well as severe functional limitations. Furthermore, because over half of PAD patients are asymptomatic, there is a need for improved diagnostic and screening methods. Identification of metabolites associated with the disease may thus be a promising approach for PAD. However, PAD remains highly understudied. In this chapter, we discuss the application of metabolomics to the study of PAD.

Clinician Specialty, Access to Care, and Outcomes Among Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

BACKGROUND

Understanding the relationship between patterns of peripheral artery disease and outcomes is an essential step toward improving care and outcomes. We hypothesized that clinician specialty would be associated with occurrence of major adverse vascular events (MAVE).

METHODS

Patients with at least 1 peripheral artery disease-related encounter in our health system and fee-for-service Medicare were divided into groups based on the specialty of the clinician (ie, cardiologist, surgeon, podiatrist, primary care, or other) providing a plurality of peripheral artery disease-coded care in the year prior to index encounter. The primary outcome was MAVE (a composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, lower extremity revascularization, and lower extremity amputation).

RESULTS

The cohort included 1768 patients, of whom 30.0% were Black, 23.9% were Medicaid dual-enrollment eligible, and 31.1% lived in rural areas. Patients receiving a plurality of their care from podiatrists had the highest 1-year rates of MAVE (34.4%, P <.001), hospitalization (65.9%, P <.001), and amputations (22.6%, P <.001). Clinician specialty was not associated with outcomes after adjustment. Patients who were Medicaid dual-eligible had higher adjusted risks of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR_adj] 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-2.14) and all-cause hospitalization (HR_adj 1.20, 95% CI 1.03-1.40) and patients who were Black had a higher adjusted risk of amputation (HR_adj 1.49, 95% CI 1.03-2.15).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinician specialty was not associated with worse outcomes after adjustment, but certain socioeconomic factors were. The effects of clinician specialty and socioeconomic status were likely attenuated by the fact that all patients in this study had health insurance; these analyses require confirmation in a more representative cohort.

The association between socioeconomic distress communities index and amputation among patients with peripheral artery disease

Background

Socioeconomic factors have been shown to be associated with amputation in peripheral artery disease (PAD); however, analyses have normally focused on insurance status, race, or median income. We sought to determine whether community-level socioeconomic distress was associated with major amputation and if that association differed by race.

Materials and methods

Community-level socioeconomic distress was measured using the distressed communities index (DCI). The DCI is a zip code level compositive socioeconomic score (0-100) that accounts for unemployment, education level, poverty rate, median income, business growth, and housing vacancies. A distressed community was defined as a zip code with DCI of 40 or greater. We calculated one-year risk of major amputation by DCI score for individuals with peripheral artery disease in South Carolina, 2012-2017. Treating death as competing event, we reported Fine and Gray subdistribution hazards ratios (sdHR), adjusted for patient demographic and clinical comorbidities associated with amputation. Further analyses were completed to identify potential differences in outcomes within strata of race and DCI.

Results

Among 82,848 individuals with peripheral artery disease, the one-year incidence of amputation was 3.5% (95% CI: 3.3%, 3.6%) and was significantly greater in distressed communities than non-distressed communities (3.9%; 95% CI: 3.8%, 4.1% vs. 2.4%; 95% CI: 2.2%, 2.6%). After controlling for death and adjusting for covariates, we found an increased hazard of amputation among individuals in a distressed community (sdHR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.37), which persisted across racial strata. However, regardless of DCI score, Black individuals had the highest incidence of amputation.

Conclusion

Socioeconomic status is independently predictive of limb amputation after controlling for demographic characteristics and clinical comorbidities. Race continues to be an important risk factor, with Black individuals having higher incidence of amputation, even in non-distressed communities, than White individuals had in distressed communities.

Younger patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia face more frequent amputations

INTRODUCTION

Amputations among younger patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) may carry higher personal and societal costs, but younger patients are often not included in CLTI research because of dataset limitations. We aimed to characterize and compare outcomes between younger (<65 years old) and older patients with CLTI.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study identified patients with CLTI between July 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017 in the MarketScan commercial claims database, a proprietary set of claims for over 50 million patients with private insurance in the United States. The primary outcome was major adverse limb events (MALE); secondary outcomes included amputations, major adverse cardiovascular events, and statin prescription fills.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 64,663 people with CLTI, of whom 25,595 (39.6%) were <65 years old. Younger patients were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (54.1% versus 49.9%, P<.001) but less likely to have other comorbidities. A higher proportion of younger patients suffered MALE (31.7% versus 30.2%, P=.002), specifically amputation (11.5% versus 9.3%, P<.001). After adjustment, age <65 years old was associated with a 24% increased risk of amputation (HR_adj 1.24, 95%CI 1.18-1.32, P<.001) and a 10% increased risk of MALE (HR_adj 1.10, 95%CI 1.07-1.14, P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of commercially insured patients with CLTI are under the age of 65, and younger patients have worse limb-related outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of aggressively treating risk factors for atherosclerosis and intentionally including younger patients with CLTI in future analyses to better understand their disease patterns and outcomes.

Electromagnetic energy (670 nm) stimulates vasodilation through activation of the large conductance potassium channel (BKCa)

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a highly morbid condition in which impaired blood flow to the limbs leads to pain and tissue loss. Previously we identified 670 nm electromagnetic energy (R/NIR) to increase nitric oxide levels in cells and tissue. NO elicits relaxation of smooth muscle (SMC) by stimulating potassium efflux and membrane hyperpolarization. The actions of energy on ion channel activity have yet to be explored. Here we hypothesized R/NIR stimulates vasodilation through activation of potassium channels in SMC.

METHODS

Femoral arteries or facial arteries from C57Bl/6 and Slo1-/- mice were isolated, pressurized to 60 mmHg, pre-constricted with U46619, and irradiated twice with energy R/NIR (10 mW/cm2 for 5 min) with a 10 min dark period between irradiations. Single-channel K+ currents were recorded at room temperature from cell-attached and excised inside-out membrane patches of freshly isolated mouse femoral arterial muscle cells using the patch-clamp technique.

RESULTS

R/NIR stimulated vasodilation requires functional activation of the large conductance potassium channels. There is a voltage dependent outward current in SMC with light stimulation, which is due to increases in the open state probability of channel opening. R/NIR modulation of channel opening is eliminated pharmacologically (paxilline) and genetically (BKca α subunit knockout). There is no direct action of light to modulate channel activity as excised patches did not increase the open state probability of channel opening.

CONCLUSION

R/NIR vasodilation requires indirect activation of the BKca channel.

Disparities in Peripheral Artery Disease Hospitalizations Identified Among Understudied Race-Ethnicity Groups

Background: To assess racial/ethnic differences in disease severity, hospital outcomes, length of stay and healthcare costs among hospitalized patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: This study used data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) to explore the racial/ethnic disparities in PAD-related hospitalizations including presence of PAD with chronic limb threatened ischemia (CLI), amputation, in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stays and estimated medical costs. Race-ethnicity groups included non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American, and others (multiple races). Regression analyses adjusted for age, gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index, primary payer, patient location, bed size of the admission hospital, geographic region of the hospital, and rural/urban location of the hospital.

Results: A total of 341,480 PAD hospitalizations were identified. Compared with non-Hispanic Whites, Native Americans had the highest odds of PAD with CLI (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.61, 1.95); Black (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.66, 1.76) and Hispanic (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.31,1.41) patients had higher odds of amputation; Asian or Pacific Islanders had a higher mortality (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01,1.43), whereas Black (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.87) patients has a lower mortality; Asian or Pacific Islanders incurred higher overall inpatient costs (Margin = 30093.01, 95% CI: 28827.55, 31358.48) and most prolonged length of stay (IRR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.18).

Conclusions: Our study identified elevated odds of amputation among Hispanic patients hospitalized with PAD as well as higher hospital mortality and medical expenses among Asian or Pacific Islander PAD inpatients. These two demographic groups were previously thought to have a lower risk for PAD and represent important populations for further investigation.

Association of Perceived Stress Levels With Long-term Mortality in Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

IMPORTANCE

Identifying modifiable risk factors, such as stress, that could inform the design of peripheral artery disease (PAD) management strategies is critical for reducing the risk of mortality. Few studies have examined the association of self-perceived stress with outcomes in patients with PAD.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of high levels of self-perceived stress with mortality in patients with PAD.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study analyzed data from the registry of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Related to Treatment Practices in Peripheral Arterial Disease: Investigating Trajectories (PORTRAIT) study, a multicenter study that enrolled patients with new or worsening symptoms of PAD who presented to 16 subspecialty clinics across the US, the Netherlands, and Australia from June 2, 2011, to December 3, 2015. However, the present study included only patients in the US sites because assessments of mortality for patients in the Netherlands and Australia were not available. Data analysis was conducted from July 2019 to March 2020.

EXPOSURE

Self-perceived stress was quantified using the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), with a score range of 0 to 16. A score of 6 or higher indicated high stress in this cohort. Missing scores were imputed using multiple imputation by chained equations with predictive mean matching. Stress was assessed at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Patients who reported high levels of stress at 2 or more follow-up assessments were categorized as having chronic stress.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

All-cause mortality was the primary study outcome. Such data for the subsequent 4 years after the 12-month follow-up were obtained from the National Death Index.

RESULTS

The final cohort included 765 patients, with a mean (SD) age of 68.4 (9.7) years. Of these patients, 57.8% were men and 71.6% were white individuals. High stress levels were reported in 65% of patients at baseline and in 20% at the 12-month follow-up. In an adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model accounting for demographics, comorbidities, disease severity, treatment type, and socioeconomic status, exposure to chronic stress during the 12 months of follow-up was independently associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in the subsequent 4 years (hazard ratio, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.14-3.94; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In thie cohort study of patients with PAD, higher stress levels in the year after diagnosis appeared to be associated with greater long-term mortality risk, even after adjustment for confounding factors. These findings suggest that, given that stress is a modifiable risk factor for which evidence-based management strategies exist, a holistic approach that includes assessment of chronic stress has the potential to improve survival in patients with PAD.

Cigarette smoking intensity informs outcomes after open revascularization for peripheral artery disease

OBJECTIVE

Cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Existing literature often defines smoking history in broad categories of current, former, and never smokers, which may not sufficiently identify patients at the highest risk for poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of more informative categorization of smoking and to determine the association with important revascularization outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of all patients undergoing open lower extremity revascularization for symptomatic PAD, defined as claudication (Rutherford 3) or critical limb ischemia (Rutherford 4-6), during a 5-year period (2013-2017). Smoking history, demographics, and comorbidities were abstracted from electronic health records from seven hospitals within our health care system. Smoking history was defined by intensity (packs/day), duration (years), pack-year history, and cessation time. Outcomes included major adverse limb events (MALEs), death, limb loss, and amputation-free survival. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each parameter adjusted for patients' demographics and comorbidities. Cumulative incidence is reported for outcomes at 30, 180, and 365 days of follow-up.

RESULTS

We identified 693 patients undergoing open lower extremity revascularization for PAD (66% critical limb ischemia; 46% diabetes). The 1-year cumulative incidence of MALEs was 29.9% (95% CI, 26.4-33.9), whereas the 1-year incidence of death was 9.8% (95% CI, 7.5-12.7). The broad classification of current and former smokers identified no statistically significant differences in any measured outcomes. Patients who smoked more than one pack/day had 1.48 (95% CI, 1.01-2.16) times increase in risk of MALEs at 1 year compared with patients who smoked one or fewer packs/day. Patients who smoked more than one pack/day also had the highest 1-year amputation incidence (12.7%). Each of the four parameters was associated with increased risk of poor outcomes, although small sample size limited the precision of our estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that smoking intensity is particularly informative of outcomes of patients undergoing open lower extremity revascularization for symptomatic PAD. These findings lay the groundwork for future research on relevant smoking history parameters and benefits of smoking reduction and cessation for clinicians to discuss with patients and to better understand and inform patients of intervention risks and expected outcomes.