Effect of diabetes on the prognosis, serum inflammatory factors, and quality of life of patients with lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans after vascular intervention: a retrospective comparative cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (LEASO) is a chronic progressive disease with clinical manifestations such as intermittent claudication, resting pain, and even ulceration or necrosis of the lower extremities caused by insufficient blood supply to the diseased limbs. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diabetes on the prognosis of LEASO patients after the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) treatment. METHODS: The clinical data of LEASO patients who received PTA treatment in the Blood Hernia Minimally Invasive Surgery Ward of Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a diabetic group and a non-diabetic group. The general data, lesion location, technical and clinical success rates, changes in the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and serum inflammatory factors, perioperative complications, resting pain relief rate, amputation rate, and quality of life of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 223 LEASO patients (256 limbs) were included, including 78 patients with diabetes (91 limbs) and 145 patients without diabetes (165 limbs). Compared with the non-diabetic group, the proportion of lesions in the superior genicular artery was lower, and that in the inferior genicular artery was higher in the diabetic group (P<0.05). Compared with the diabetic group, the levels of serum inflammatory factors in the non-diabetic group were significantly lower than those in the diabetic group, while the clinical success rate was markedly higher (P<0.05). Moreover, the body pain, general health, and mental health scores of the non-diabetic group were considerably higher than those of the diabetic group patients. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) values of Rutherford stage, diabetes and C-reactive protein (CRP) level were 20.124, 44.893 and 14.523 respectively, P<0.05, which were independent factors affecting clinical success. CONCLUSIONS: PTA to treat diabetic patients with LEASO can achieve short-term efficacy similar to that of non-diabetic patients. However, the long-term clinical success rate and quality of life of diabetes patients are still inferior to those of non-diabetic patients. Standardized postoperative anti-inflammatory treatment and blood glucose control are crucial for long-term efficacy.

The Effect of Multidimensional Nursing Intervention for Pain on Pain Levels in Patients with Lower Extremity Arteriosclerosis Obliterans.

Objective: This study aims to explore the effect of the multidimensional nursing intervention for pain on the pain level in patients with lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans. Methods: From January 2020 to April 2021, 132 patients with lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University in China were enrolled in this prospective study. According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into the study group (n = 66; receiving multidimensional nursing intervention for pain) and the control group (n = 66; receiving routine nursing intervention). The pain level, sleep quality, and claudication distance were recorded before and after the intervention. The ankle brachial index before discharge and 1, 3 and 6 months after discharge was recorded. The getting out of bed time, length of hospital stay, satisfaction with pain control, and postoperative complications were also recorded. Results: The postoperative get out of bed time and hospital stay in patients in the study group were shorter than patients in the control group (P < .05). After the intervention, the pain level was lower and sleep quality higher in the study group than in the control group (P < .05), and the limp distance in the study group was longer (P < .05). Before discharge and at 1, 3 and 6 months after discharge, the ankle brachial index in the study group was higher than in the control group (P < .05). In addition, there were significant differences between the 2 groups (P < .05). Compared with the control group (10.606%), the incidence of postoperative complications in the study group (1.515%) was lower (P < .05). Conclusions: The multidimensional nursing intervention for pain may effectively reduce pain levels, improve sleep quality, increase claudication distance and improve satisfaction with pain control, thus improving patient prognosis.

[Application of Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system in treating in-stent restenosis of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system in treating instent restenosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: The clinical data of 7 in-stent restenosis (ISR) cases of lower extremity PAD from June 2017 to Dec 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 2 females and the mean age was (70.0±7.6) years from 59.0 to 76.0 years. All the cases were treated by Rotarex mechanical thrombectomy system. In the 7 cases, time interval from the previous stent implantation to ischemia recurrence was 1.0 to 72.0 months, and the median time was 6.0 months. The period from ischemia recurrence to endovascular therapy was 3 days to 2 years, and the median time was 62 days. Rotarex mechanical debulking catheter and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) were used in all the cases, and the stent was used only when it was necessary. Anticoagulation was used for 24 hours after procedures and then antiplatelet agents were used as usual. Doppler ultrasonography was taken during the followed-up. RESULTS: All the 7 cases were successful in technology, 3 of which were implanted with new stents for the fracture of the old ones. while for the other four cases, no new stent was implanted. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) increased from 0.31±0.08 to 0.86±0.08 after treatment (t=-12.84, P < 0.001). Thrombectomy was applied urgently in one case because of acute thrombosis in the stent, and the result was good. There was no other complications in hospital. All the patients were followed up for 5.0-22.0 months, and the median time was 14.0 months. No death and amputation occurred during the follow-up. One patient stopped antiplatelet agents because of gastrointestinal bleeding, which resulted in acute thrombosis. in-stent restenosis reappeared in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Debulking using Rotarex catheter is safe and effective in treating in-stent restenosis of PAD, especially in reducing stents implantation, but is not good at dealing with old thrombus and proliferating intima, and can do nothing about fractured stents and hyperplasia of intima, so it needs to be combined with stents and drug coated balloons.

A Novel Guidewire Pull-Through Technique in Endovascular Treatment for Severely Calcified Infrapopliteal Occlusion.

BACKGROUND In practical settings of endovascular treatment (EVT) for below-the-knee arteries, we often encounter cases of severe calcification. To overcome problems regarding device uncrossing due to severe calcifications, a bidirectional approach and subsequent guidewire externalization is one of critical methods. CASE REPORT A 74-year-old female with refractory skin ulcers on the lower frontal thigh and necrotic toes on the left side showed occlusion in both the anterior tibial artery (ATA) and tibio-peroneal trunk. Both occluded vessels were accompanied with dense calcification. In the process of EVT targeting the occluded ATA, the retrograde guidewire successfully passed the occlusion and was advanced into the antegrade guide sheath. Next, we attempted guidewire externalization, but severe calcification of the ATA hampered the procedure. Therefore, we introduced a guide extension catheter and a balloon catheter in an antegrade fashion to establish a system of trapping the retrograde guidewire between these devices. Then, we pulled the system back outside the guide sheath, which completed guidewire externalization. We performed prolonged balloon dilatation and finally achieved favorable revascularization of the ATA. CONCLUSIONS Our novel method led to successful retrograde guidewire externalization, overcoming severely calcified lesions. It is generally essential for clinicians to increase their expertise regarding EVT procedures to attain better outcomes.

Outcomes in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia due to Arteriosclerosis Obliterans Who Did Not Undergo Arterial Reconstruction.

The prevalence of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) is currently increasing, and arterial reconstruction is often attempted to salvage the limb. Some patients cannot undergo attempted revascularization because of contraindications, and they only receive conservative treatment. In this study, we investigate the comorbidities and survival rates of patients with CLI who receive conservative treatment. Thirty-five patients with CLI due to ASO, who had not undergone revascularization surgery (C group), were enrolled. As controls, 136 patients with CLI due to ASO who did undergo revascularization (R group), mainly via bypass surgery, were enrolled. Coronary artery disease, heart failure, and respiratory dysfunction were factors indicating conservative treatment. Limb salvage rates and survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Patients who had survived for less than two years after surgery had a higher prevalence of chronic heart failure, cardiovascular disease, and end-stage renal disease compared to patients who had survived for more than two years. The use of statins, dual antiplatelets, aspirin, or warfarin did not influence whether a patient survived for longer than two years. 77% of patients survived for more than two years after receiving only conservative therapies. Surgical revascularization did not improve the prognosis of patients with CLI as compared with the conservative therapy. Clinicians might start with conservative treatment while considering other treatment options for patients with CLI.

Outcome From a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial　- Improvement of Peripheral Arterial Disease by Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor-Mobilized Autologous Peripheral-Blood-Mononuclear Cell Transplantation (IMPACT).

BACKGROUND: The clinical usefulness of peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cell (MNC) transplantation in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), especially in those with mild-to-moderate severity, has not been fully clarified.Methods and Results:A randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized PBMNC transplantation in patients with PAD (Fontaine stage II-IV and Rutherford category 1-5) caused by arteriosclerosis obliterans or Buerger's disease. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). In total, 107 subjects were enrolled. At baseline, Fontaine stage was II/III in 82 patients and IV in 21, and 54 patients were on hemodialysis. A total of 50 patients had intramuscular transplantation of PBMNC combined with standard of care (SOC) (cell therapy group), and 53 received SOC only (control group). PFS tended to be improved in the cell therapy group than in the control group (P=0.07). PFS in Fontaine stage II/III subgroup was significantly better in the cell therapy group than in the control group. Cell therapy-related adverse events were transient and not serious. CONCLUSIONS: In this first randomized, large-scale clinical trial of G-CSF-mobilized PBMNC transplantation, the cell therapy was tolerated by a variety of PAD patients. The PBMNC therapy was significantly effective for inhibiting disease progression in mild-to-moderate PAD.

Increased plasma olfactomedin 2 after interventional therapy is a predictor for restenosis in lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans patients.

Animal studies have indicated that olfactomedin 2 (OLFM2) is involved in the process of vascular remolding. The aim of the present study was to investigate circulating OLFM2 levels in lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (LEASO) patients and the association of OLFM2 with postoperative restenosis in patients. A total of 203 LEASO patients were enrolled in the present study. Plasma OLFM2 was measured before and 6 h after interventional therapy. After 6 months, patients were divided into a restenosis group and a non-restenosis group. Inter-group and intra-group differences in plasma OLFM2 were compared. The correlation between plasma OLFM2 and the severity of restenosis was analyzed by Spearman's correlation analysis. An receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of plasma OLFM2 on restenosis. Logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for restenosis. Postoperative OLFM2 in the restenosis group was significantly higher compared with the non-restenosis group (34.07 ± 5.76 ng/mL vs. 19.53 ± 2.99 ng/mL). No significant difference in preoperative plasma OLFM2 levels was identified between the two groups (10.92 ± 2.49 ng/mL vs. 11.54 ± 3.18 ng/mL). Postoperative OLFM2 levels were positively correlated with the severity of restenosis (r = 0.728, p < .001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.902 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.874-0.965), with a cutoff value of 26.91 ng/mL (95% CI: 26.16-28.32). Plasma OLFM2 was an independent risk factor for restenosis. Our results suggest that plasma OLFM2 is a potential biomarker for restenosis and may be a novel target for the treatment of restenosis.

[Endovascular surgery for critical ischemia of lower extremities with suppurative-necrotic lesion of the feet]. / Rentgenoéndovaskuliarnaia khirurgiia pri kriticheskoi ishemii nizhnikh konechnostei s gnoino-nekroticheskim porazheniem stop.

AIM: To improve treatment of patients with grade IV chronic ischemia of lower extremities via endovascular angioplasty combined with surgical methods for suppurative-necrotic lesions of the feet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 51 patients with grade IV chronic ischemia of lower extremities underwent endovascular interventions (balloon angioplasty, stenting). A total of 23 stents were deployed in 16 patients including 12 stents in superficial and common femoral arteries, 5 in popliteal artery, 6 in iliac artery. There were no stents in crural arteries. The most perspective artery for wound healing was preferred in case of revascularization below popliteal segment. Necrectomy was performed along with angioplasty in patients with suppurative-necrotic lesion of the feet followed by delayed reconstructive operations if it was necessary. RESULTS: Endovascular surgery for grade IV chronic ischemia of lower extremities was associated with good immediate results in most cases due to revascularization and organ-sparing interventions for suppurative lesions of the feet. Current endovascular methods allow to perform successful re-operations to restore blood flow in previously repaired arteries and implanted stents with restenosis or thrombosis.

[Use of drug-free methods of treatment in comprehensive therapy of patients with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia].

Analysed herein are the results of treating a total of 139 patients presenting with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia. The patients were subdivided into three groups, depending on the variant of treatment performed. Group One patients (n=57) received standard conservative therapy combined with ozone therapy, with the Group being further subdivided into two subgroups: patients of subgroup 1a (n=28) were subjected to intravenous administration of ozonated physiological solution (OPS), subgroup 1b patients (n=29) were given big autohemoozonetherapy (BAT). Group Two patients (n=62) underwent complex treatment including beside medical ozone gravitation therapy (GT). Group Two patients were also subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup 2a patients (n=31) received standard conservative therapy combined with OPS and GT, subgroup 2b patients (n=31) received standard conservative therapy in combination with BAT and GT. Group Three (Control Group) was composed of 20 patients receiving standard conservative therapy alone. The highest efficacy was observed in the subgroup of patients receiving OPS and GT, with the patients of this subgroup showing a statistically significant increase in the pain-free walking distance by 116.5% and in the ankle-brachial index by 49.2%, also demonstrating the most pronounced positive dynamics of lipid metabolism parameters: a decrease in total cholesterol by 21.3%, low density lipoproteins by 25.4%, very low density lipoproteins by 24.2% and triglycerides by 18.5%. Besides, a tendency was observed towards normalization of the haemostasis system indices: fibrinogen decreased by 21.8%, prothrombin index by 13%, fibrin monomer complexes retraction by 18.2%, and the clotting time increased by 20.7%. Hence, combined use of ozonated physiological solution and gravitation therapy in treatment of patients with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia promotes a considerable increase in the pain-free walking distance and ankle-brachial index, as well as contributes to correction of lipid metabolic disorders and haemocoagulation.

[FUNCTIONAL STATE OF PERIPHERAL VESSELS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES AND INTRAOSSEOUS PRESSURE IN PATIENTS, SUFFERING OBLITERATING ATHEROSCLEROSIS ON BACKGROUND OF DIABETES MELLITUS].

Results of examination of 46 patients, suffering obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities arteries solely or in combination with diabetes mellitus (DM), were analyzed. The malleolar pressure index (MPI), regional systolic pressure (RSP), velocity of the volume blood flow (VVBF), rheographic index (RI), using test with nitroglycerine, postocclusion venous pressure (POVP) and intaosseous pressure (IOP) in tibiae were studied. The RI reduction, parallel to the arterial ischemia progression, was established. The test indices with nitroglycerine in patients with obliterating atherosclerosis have reduced step by step. With coexistent DM the efficacy of nitroglycerine was practically absent. POVP is upgraded in patients of all the groups and it have lowered step by step in a laying position of the patient, and while transition into standing position--it have upgraded progressively with a progress of arterial ischemia. IOP have upgraded significantly in isolated obliterating atherosclerosis in ischemia stage 3a and have lowered--in stage 3b. In coexistent DM IOP is upgraded in ischemia stage 3b also.

[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty versus stent implantation for treatment of femoral and popliteal artery lesion resulted from arteriosclerosis obliterans].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effects of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) versus stent implantation (ST) after PTA for the treatment of femoral and popliteal artery lesion resulted from arteriosclerosis obliterans. METHODS: One hundred and three patients (119 limbs) treated for femoral and popliteal artery lesion resulted from arteriosclerosis obliterans for ten years were reviewed, of whom 60 limbs were treated by PTA and the other 47 by PTA combined with stent implantation. RESULTS: Among the 60 limbs of the PTA group, there were 22 limbs involved only in femoral and popliteal artery; 13 limbs combined with iliac artery lesion; 17 limbs combined with infrapopliteal artery lesion; 8 limbs combined with iliac and infrapopliteal artery lesion. Among the 47 limbs of the ST group, there were 18 limbs involved only in femoral and popliteal artery; 8 limbs combined with iliac artery lesion; 15 limbs combined with infrapopliteal artery lesion; 6 limbs combined with iliac and infrapopliteal artery lesion. There was no significant difference between the two groups on age, sex, concomitant disease, ankle brachial index(ABI) before treatment and Rutherford classification (P>0.05). The patients' Trans-atlantic inter-society consensus (TASC) C/D was lower in the PTA group than that in the ST group (58.3% vs.76.6%, P=0.047).The follow-up periods were 48.0 (5.0,108.0) and 40.0 (3.0,96.0) months respectively (P=0.064). Compared with the PTA group, the ST group had a better short-term total effective rate (93.6% vs.80.0%, P=0.044) and a higher cost [(33 882.7 ± 8 695.6) yuan vs. (17 754.8 ± 3 654.2) yuan, P<0.001]. The short-term marked effective rate of the ST group was higher than that of the PTA group, but the difference was not significant (31.9% vs.21.7%, P=0.231). There was no significant difference between the two groups on short-term efficiency, and complication rates (58.3% vs. 58.3%, P=0.724; 1.7% vs.2.1%, P=1.000). There was no death during perioperative period and no short-term deterioration in both the groups. The long-term marked effective rate was lower and the deterioration rate was higher in the ST group than that in the PTA group, but the difference was not significant (8.5% vs. 15.0%, P=0.381; 14.9% vs. 5.0%, P=0.081).There was no significant difference between the two group on long term total effective rate,accumulative limb salvage rate and reoperation rate (66.0% vs. 66.7%, P=0.939; 94.7% vs. 94.1%, P=0.884; 31.9% vs. 31.7%, P=1.000), and the 1 to 10 years primary and secondary patency rates were similar (P=0.837, P=0.622).When compared based on TASC classification, TASC A/B patients in the ST group had a higher short-term marked effective rate, a higher short-term total effective rate and a higher long-term deterioration rate than those in the PTA group, but the difference was not significant (36.4% vs. 24.0%, P=0.353; 100.0% vs. 88.0%, P=0.322; 18.2% vs. 4.0%, P=0.216). TASC C/D patients had a similar result (30.6% vs. 20.0%, P=0.307; 91.7% vs. 74.3%, P=0.050; 13.9% vs. 5.7%, P=0.226). Both TASC A/B and TASC C/D patients in the ST group had a similar accumulative limb salvage rate with that in the PTA group (90.9% vs. 90.6%, P=0.920; 97.1% vs. 94.1%, P=0.796). CONCLUSION: Stent implantation can increase the cost and short term effective rate at the same time and is not superior to PTA on the long term effective rate and limb salvage rate for femoral and popliteal artery lesion resulted from arteriosclerosis obliterans.

[A FOLLOW-UP STUDY ON AUTOLOGOUS BONE MARROW MONONUCLEAR CELLS TRANSPLANTATION FOR CRITICAL LOWER ARTERIOSCLEROSIS OBLITERANS IN DIABETIC PATIENTS].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term effectiveness and safety of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) transplantation in the treatment of critical diabetic lower arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). METHODS: Between January 2007 and January 2010, 61 patients with critical diabetic lower ASO were treated with standard medical therapies in 29 cases (control group) or with standard medical therapies and autologous BM-MNC transplantation in 32 cases (treatment group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, Fontatine stage, glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), hemoglobin Alc (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The endpoints were overall survival (OS) and amputation-free survival (AFS). The risk indexes for ASO were observed and compared between 2 groups before and after treatments. RESULTS: The patients were followed up 2-36 months, and no malignant tumor occurred. The OS rate, OS time, AFS rate, and AFS time were 82.76% (24/29), (32.31 ± 9.08) months, 37.50% (9/24), and (21.28 ± 13.35) months in the control group and were 78.13% (25/32), (32.47 ± 6.96) months, 68.00% (17/25), and (28.38 ± 9.48) months in the treatment group; all indexes showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). OS rate, OS time, AFS rate, and AFS time showed no significant differences between 2 groups at the other time (P > 0.05) except AFS time at 1 year, which was significantly short in the control group than the treatment group (t = 2.806, P = 0.007). At the endpoint of follow-up, the indexes of GLU, TG, CHOL, LDL-C, HbAlc, SBP, and DBP showed no significant differences between before and after treatments and between 2 groups (P > 0.05) in 49 survival patients (24 in control group and 25 in treatment group). CONCLUSION: Autologous BM-MNC transplantation is safe and effective in the treatment of critical diabetic lower ASO, which can significantly improve AFS rate and prolong AFS time with no risks.

[Propionibacterium granulosum bare-metal stent infection after drug-eluting balloon]. / Infection de stent artériel périphérique à Propionibacterium granulosum après angioplastie au ballon actif.

INTRODUCTION: Bare-metal stents are used to treat arterial stenotic lesions. Morbidity and mortality are less important compared with other techniques. Drug-eluting balloons are often used to treat stent stenosis. We reported the case of a bare-metal stent infection after drug-eluting balloon and a review on the subject. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Two weeks after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with paclitaxel-eluting balloon and a bare-metal stent, our patient presented an infection of the stent. Diagnosis was based on the clinical presentation, positron emission tomography findings and isolation of Propionibacterium granulosum in repeated blood cultures. Adapted antibiotic therapy was given for three months with removal of the surgical bare-stent. Antibiotic therapy was interrupted after a second positron emission tomography. A literature search (PubMed and Cochrane) was performed on the subject. RESULTS: We found 49 cases of peripheral bare-metal stent infection including our patient. This is a rare but serious complication with a high morbidity (25% amputation rate) and mortality (30%). It seems to be underestimated. Treatment is based on surgical ablation of the bare-metal stent and intravenous antibiotics. The role of the paclitaxel-eluting balloon is not clearly established but some authors believe that it can produce a local immunosuppression. CONCLUSION: We report the first case of bare-metal stent infection after paclitaxel-eluting balloon. This complication is rare and difficult to diagnose. Manifestations are often limited to skin signs. Functional and vital prognosis is poor.

[Predictors of a knee-joint preserving during high amputation of the lower extremity in a purulent-necrotic complications of obliterating angiopathy].

The causes, influencing possibility of a knee joint preservation, when performing tne lower extremity high amputation, were analyzed in 65 patients while occurrence of purulent-necrotic complications of obliterating angiopathy. In accordance to results of logistic regression the value of comorbidity index 4 and more have appeared significant as a predictor of impossibility to preserve a knee joint. In its bigger or lesser values a success or failure of transtibial amputation is possible.

[Efficiency of bioprosthesis in case of axillary-femoral bypass in patients with high operative risk].

It was analyzed the treatment results of 60 male patients with critical limb ischemia in case of atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta-iliac segment and severe somatic diseases. All patients were divided into 2 groups. Every group consisted 30 patients. The first group included axillary-femoral bypass by using of synthetic polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis. The second group - by using of bioprosthesis of bull's internal thoracic arteries. Using of bioprosthesis allows to reduce early postoperative complications in intermediate postoperative period on 13.3%, late bypass thrombosis on 30%. Also there was elongation of average time of bypasses functioning in 1.8 times. Physical health was increased on 12.8%, mental - on 9.1%.

[Prophylaxis of thrombotic complications in patients after reconstructive operations on the main arteries of the lower extremities, made for arteriosclerosis obliterans in a critical ischemia stage].

Results of reconstructive operations, performed on the main arteries of the lower extremities (LE) in 63 patients, suffering obliterating atherosclerosis were analyzed with the objective to analyze the causes of thrombotic complications occurrence. There was established, that common clinical screening tests, applied for control of the hemostasis system state, do not permit completely to reveal thrombophylic changes in early postoperative period timely and to prevent the occurrence of the reconstructed segments thrombosis. Direct correlation connection between the ischemia stage of the LE tissues, the reperfusion changes signs and hyperaggregation severity, occurring due to deficiency of the blood serum natural anticoagulants in patients, suffering obliterating atherosclerosis, was established.

[Hybrid operative interventions in patients with multi-level atherosclerotic lesions of lower-limb arteries].

The authors share their experience gained in hybrid surgical interventions for multi-level steno-occlusive lesions of the aortoiliac and infrainguinal segments in a total of 96 patients presenting with chronic ischaemia of the lower limbs. The postoperative-period complications included haematomas observed in 9 (9.4%) cases and 6 (6.3%) instances of lymphorrhea occurring in the area of the postoperative wound. There were no lethal outcomes in the immediate postoperative period. The remote results were assessed at follow-up terms varying from 6 to 53 months in 75 (79.7%) patients. Thrombosis of the bypass graft was registered in 6 cases and thrombosis of the stented iliac segment was encountered in 3 cases, which required amputation of the lower limb in 5 (6.7%) patients.

Therapeutic vascular angiogenesis for intractable macroangiopathy-related digital ulcer in patients with systemic sclerosis: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: SSc causes intractable ischaemic ulcers. To avoid major amputation, we examined the safety and efficacy of therapeutic vascular angiogenesis for digital ulcers due to SSc. METHODS: A single-centre, open-label pilot study was conducted in patients with an ischaemic digital ulcer [n = 40, mean age 65 years (s.d. 8), Rutherford class III-5 or III-6) due to lcSSc (n = 11) or arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO; n = 29). Bone marrow mononuclear cells (0.4-5.1 × 10(10) cells in total) were administered into the ischaemic limbs. We evaluated short-term safety and efficacy by means of a pain scale, (99m)Tc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy and transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2) before and 4 weeks after treatment. Also, the 2-year outcome was compared. RESULTS: There was a case of amputation in each group within 4 weeks after therapy. The pain scale significantly decreased in both groups [lcSSc 93 mm (s.d. 9) to 11 (s.d. 16), P < 0.01; ASO 77 mm (s.d. 22) to 16 (s.d. 13), P < 0.01] and TcPO2 significantly improved [lcSSc 9.0 mmHg (s.d. 9) to 35 (s.d. 14), P < 0.01; ASO 18 mmHg (s.d. 10) to 29 (s.d. 21), P < 0.05). At the 2-year follow-up, the limb amputation rate was 9.1% in lcSSc and 20.7% in ASO (P = 0.36), while the recurrence rate was 18.2% in lcSSc and 17.2% in ASO (P = 0.95). All-cause mortality was 27.3% in lcSSc and 17.2% in ASO (P = 0.65). CONCLUSION: In patients with lcSSc, bone marrow mononuclear cell implantation provides clinical benefit and is safe, without major adverse reactions, and may become an effective strategy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR, http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index-j.htm, no. UMIN000004112.

Long-term effects of beraprost sodium on arteriosclerosis obliterans: a single-center retrospective study of Japanese patients.

INTRODUCTION: Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) causes ischemic symptoms of the lower limbs, reducing quality of life (QOL), and has a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are necessary. In this study, the effects of long-term administration of beraprost sodium (beraprost) to treat ASO were investigated. METHODS: One hundred and eighty eight patients treated with beraprost for ≥1 year were retrospectively identified. Outcomes were lower limb ischemic symptoms, carotid intima/media thickness (IMT), and cardiovascular events. Patients reported visual analog scale scores for major symptoms at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 188 patients (mean age 70.8 ± 10.15 years, Fontaine classification: grade I 14.4%, grade II 85.6%) treated with beraprost for 2.4-10.7 years (mean 6.5 years) were included in this study. Administration of beraprost significantly reduced patient-reported severity of lower limb ischemic symptoms in all patients at 12 months, including those with diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. IMT decreased from 1.09 ± 0.09 mm at baseline to 1.04 ± 0.11 mm at 12 months (P < 0.001). Decreases in IMT were similar in patients with diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. Overall, 26 (13.8%) events occurred during a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, including 23 cardiovascular events (unstable angina in three patients, myocardial infarction in six patients, cerebral infarction in eight patients, and transient cerebral ischemic attack in six patients) and non-cardiovascular death in three patients. Beraprost at 120 µg/day significantly reduced the risk of ischemic symptoms compared with <120 µg/day (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.17; 95% confidence interval: 0.06, 0.45; P < 0.001). No severe adverse events or adverse events requiring dose reductions/discontinuation occurred during long-term administration of beraprost. CONCLUSION: Beraprost reduced lower limb ischemic symptoms, IMT, and the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with ASO.