The Importance of the Circle of Willis in Carotid Interventions Outcomes: A Real-Life Study.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the outcomes regarding operative mortality rate, ipsilateral stroke, and overall survival rate among patients with internal carotid artery stenosis submitted to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or stenting regarding the completeness of circle of Willis (CoW). METHODS: Prospective, consecutive cohort study of patients submitted to carotid interventions (CEA and carotid stenting: CAS) for internal carotid artery stenosis diagnosis evaluated according complete or incomplete CoW. The patients were divided into 2 groups: group I, the patients with complete CoW and group II, the patients with incomplete CoW, with the disruption of anterior and/or ipsilateral posterior circulation, regarding the ipsilateral significant carotid stenosis. RESULTS: Overall, 98 patients submitted to carotid intervention were evaluated. Two groups of patients were identified: group CoW complete with 54 patients and group CoW incomplete with 44 patients. Regarding the type of intervention, the prevalence of CAS in CoW complete group and CoW incomplete group were statistically similar (54.1% vs. 55.1%, P = 0.22). Notwithstanding, CEA was also statistically similar in CoW incomplete group and CoW complete group (44.2% vs. 45.9%, P = 0.22). The perioperative mortality rate was 2% in total cohort (2 patients), with no differences among CoW complete and incomplete groups (3.7% vs. 0%, P = 0.50, respectively). Furthermore, the incidence of postoperative stroke was 3.1% (asymptomatic 2%, symptomatic 1.1%), with no differences among CoW complete and incomplete groups (3.7% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.68, respectively). A univariate and multivariate linear regression showed that among the factors evaluated, only chronic kidney failure was related with hazard ratio = 1.89, P = 0.003, confidence interval 1.058-2.850. CONCLUSIONS: The completeness of the CoW, independently of the type of carotid intervention (CEA and CAS), did not interfere in the results regarding postoperative outcomes for stroke and death. Chronic kidney disease was associated to increased risk of perioperative stroke.

Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy with Angiojet in acute arterial occlusions: A prospective study among the results and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this present paper was to evaluate the results and outcomes of patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) submitted to pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT) endovascular surgery with Angiojet, regarding the number of cycles/pumps. METHODS: Prospective, consecutive cohort study of ALI patients submitted to PMT endovascular intervention subdivided into two groups according to the number of cycles in the Angiojet technique: Group 1 higher than 150 cycles/second and Group 2 lesser than 150 cycles/second (cycles/s). RESULTS: Overall, 92 patients with ALI submitted to PMT were evaluated. Two groups of patients were identified: Group 1 higher than 150 cycles/s with 60 patients and Group 2 lesser than 150 cycles/s with 32 patients. The overall mortality rate (OMR) was 15.1% (13 patients) in total cohort within the first 30 days. Group 1 had a higher OMR than Group 2 (16.1% vs 9.3%, p = 0.007). There were 4 cases of hematuria (4.3%), all of them in Group 1. We have performed a Kaplan-Meier regarding limb salvage rates: Group 1 had 85% and Group 2 had 95.7% at 1057 days. P = 0.081. Among the factors evaluated, the following were related to overall mortality rate: PMT with higher >150 cycles/s (HR = 7.17, p = 0.007, CI: 1.38-8.89), COVID-19 infection (HR = 2.75, p = 0.010, CI = 1.73-5.97), and post-operative acute kidney injury (HR = 2.97, p < 0.001, CI = 1.32-8.13). Among the factors evaluated, the following was related to limb loss: post-operative acute kidney injury (HR = 4.41, p = 0.036, CI: 1.771-7.132), probably because patients experiencing limb loss have a higher incidence of acute renal insufficiency due to higher circulating myoglobin higher hemolysis from the increased Angiojet cycles inducing rhabdomyolysis. CONCLUSION: PMT with Angiojet is a safe and effective therapy in patients with ALI. However, patients receiving greater than 150 cycles/s were noted to have higher rates of acute kidney injury and mortality. This is likely reflective of increased thrombus burden and higher rates of hemolysis. Acute kidney injury, greater than 150 cycles/s, and COVID-19 infection were the variables with the strongest association to perioperative mortality.

The value of Wound, Ischemia and foot Infection classification in patients undergoing endovascular therapy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Wound, Ischemia and foot infection (WIfI) classification system and clinical outcomes for 1-year limb amputation-free survival (AFS), freedom from reintervention, and wound healing rate in a cohort of patients affected by chronic limb-threatening ischemia treated exclusively by endovascular procedures. METHODS: We analyzed a prospective, consecutive cohort of 203 patients (203 limbs) who underwent infrainguinal endovascular revascularization at a single center between March 2018 and January 2021. These patients were stratified into clinical stages 1 to 4 based on the SVS WIfI classification and categorized into two groups: WIfI 1 to 3 (n = 101 limbs) and WIfI 4 (n = 102 limbs). The SVS objective performance goals of 1-year limb AFS, freedom from reintervention, and wound healing were compared between the groups and assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Angiographic lesion characteristics and angioplasty details were compared. RESULTS: The average age was 72.4 years (44.3% male, 85.2% had hypertension, 80.3% had diabetes, and 87.7% had tissue loss). There were statistical differences between the groups in 1-year limb AFS Kaplan-Meier rate between WIfI clinical stages 1 to 3 group and WIfI clinical stage 4 group (82% vs 66%, respectively; P < .001), but there was no statistical difference in freedom from reintervention and wound healing rates between the groups (70% vs 64% [P = .62] and 74% vs 79% [P = .90], respectively). Owing to angiographic lesion characteristics, femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal segment distributions were similar between the groups, but there was a statistical difference in target lesion location to tibial vessels (55.4% vs 71.6%, respectively; P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia, SVS WIfI clinical stage 4 had worse results in the 1-year limb AFS rate, but there was no statistical difference in freedom from reintervention and wound healing rates between the groups.

Efficacy and safety of iliofemoral bypass using arm veins as an alternative conduit for chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: The use of basilic vein in iliofemoral revascularizations was previously described in the literature as an autologous option for the treatment of vascular prosthesis infection and as a primary conduit in patients at high risk of infectious surgical complications. However, the publications available include several different indications and are limited to case reports. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the use of arm veins as a safe and effective autologous alternative for iliofemoral reconstruction in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and at high risk of prosthesis infection. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study with 53 consecutive iliofemoral bypasses using arm veins as an alternative conduit. The procedures were performed between November 2013 and November 2021, exclusively for patients with CLTI classified as TASC aortoiliac C or D with increased risk of postoperative surgical infection. Demographic, clinical variables, and outcomes were collected from a prospective database. Main endpoints were amputation-free survival (AFS) and major adverse cardiovascular events. Secondary endpoints included primary and secondary patencies and overall survival. Cox regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of AFS. Postoperative surgical complications and 30-day mortality were also assessed. RESULTS: The mean age was 64.2 ± 8.4 years, with a predominance of male gender. The median follow-up period was 615 days. All patients had CLTI, with a predominance of tissue loss (n = 51; 96.2%) and a median ankle-brachial index of 0.28. The basilic vein was utilized in most procedures (69.8%). Thirty-day major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in five cases (9.4%), and the 30-day mortality rate was 3.8%. The AFS, primary patency, secondary patency, and overall survival in 720 days were 71%, 72%, 89%, and 75%, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed no association between the variables analyzed for AFS. There was no graft late infection nor pseudoaneurysmal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Iliofemoral bypass using arm veins as an autologous conduit proved to be an effective and safe procedure with low incidence of postoperative cardiovascular complications and high rates of AFS in patients with CLTI. Also, this suggests that arm veins can be an interesting and suitable autologous alternative conduit for iliofemoral reconstructions, especially in cases in which a prosthesis should be avoided or when it is not available.

The Importance of the Hypogastric Artery Preservation during Treatment for Aortoiliac Aneurysms: A Prospective Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the importance of the hypogastric artery for the outcomes of survival, endoleaks, reinterventions, buttock claudication (BC), and perioperative mortality rate (PMR) in patients with aortoiliac aneurysms (AIA) receiving endovascular or open surgical (OS) repair. METHODS: This was a prospective consecutive cohort study of patients with AIA who underwent endovascular treatment or OS repair during the period of 2010-2021. Endovascular repair was performed with use of aortoiliac endoprosthesis associated with internal iliac artery (IIA) coil embolization and/or with iliac branch endoprosthesis (IBE) in order to preserve the IIA. The AIA OS repairs were performed with the artery ligation in order to exclude the IIA, or in some cases, the exclusion of the IIA was performed with an endosuture in the proximal stump of the artery. Three groups were identified in the postprocedural period: group 0 (no hypogastric arteries (HAs) preserved), group 1 (1 hypogastric artery preserved), and group 2 (2 hypogastric arteries preserved). RESULTS: A total of 91 patients were submitted to OS or endovascular surgery. Regarding the HA patency, there were 17 patients in group 0, 45 patients in group 1, and 29 patients in group 2. There were 17 cases of bowel ischemia (BI) (94.1% in group 0, 5.9% in group 1, and no cases in group 2, P < 0.001) most of them in group 0, with statistical significance, 12 cases of BC (91.7% in group 0, 8.3% in group 1, and no cases in group 2, P < 0.001), most of them in group 0, with statistical significance. The perioperative mortality was 14.3%, 13 patients (9 patients - 52.9% group 0, 3 patients - 6.7% group 1, and 1 patient - 3.4% group 2, P < 0.001). The linear regression analysis for survival rates showed that BI [P = 0.026 to hazard ratio (HR) = 1.69], emergency aortoiliac repair (P < 0.001, HR = 8.86), and number of HAs (P < 0.001, HR = 5.46) in postoperative were related to poorer survival rates in both univariate and multivariate analysis. The linear regression analysis showed that the number of HAs (P < 0.001, HR = 3.61) in postoperative, emergency aortoiliac repair (P = 0.002, HR 3.233), and cardiac disease (P = 0.048, HR = 3.84) were related to BI. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the number of HA is crucial for adequate and safe outcomes after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The main factors related to death were BI, emergency aortoiliac repair, and the number of HAs preserved. Moreover, the main factors related to BI were the number of HAs in postoperative, emergency aortoiliac repair, and cardiac disease.

A Comparative Analysis and Results of Carotid Interventions Based on Duplex Ultrasound as a Single Exam Versus Multiple Diagnose Exams.

BACKGROUND: To determine the results, safety, and clinical outcomes of carotid interventions performed with duplex ultrasound (DUS) as a single preoperative image for internal carotid artery (ICA) assessment, compared to computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). METHODS: Prospective, consecutive cohort study of 2 groups of patients submitted to carotid interventions, 1 group of patients with DUS as a sole exam (group DUS) compared to patients with DUS plus CTA or MRA for ICA stenosis diagnosis (group CTA/MRA) regarding clinical outcomes such as major stroke, minor stroke, transient ischemic attack and perioperative mortality. RESULTS: Two groups of patients were identified: group DUS with 47 patients and group CTA/MRA plus DUS with 68 patients. The mean age of the patients was 71.67 years in total cohort, and most of them were male (66.1%). Group DUS had higher prevalence of male, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease and chronic kidney disease than group CTA/MRA (83% vs. 54.4%, P = 0.001; 93.6% vs. 51.5%, P < 0.001; 36.2% vs. 16.2%, P = 0.009; 29.8% vs. 13.2%, P = 0.019; 14.9% vs. 5.9%, P = 0.007, respectively). We have performed a Kaplan-Meier regarding survival rates: Group DUS had 93.5%% and Group CTA/MRA had 90.3%% at 720 days. P = 0.15, standard error < 10 at 720 days. a Kaplan-Meier analysis regarding primary patency rates showed Group DUS with 92.7% and Group CTA/MRA with 94.7% at 720 days. P = 0.78, standard error < 10 at 720 days. Furthermore, the incidence of postoperative stroke was 2.6% (asymptomatic 1.7%, symptomatic 2.9%), with no differences among DUS and CTA/MRA groups (2.1% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.78, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Independently of the type of carotid intervention (carotid endarterectomy and carotid stenting (CAS)), DUS as an only preoperative carotid image has similar results regarding postoperative outcomes when compared to CTA/MRA for preoperative carotid evaluation.

Acute Arterial Occlusions in COVID-19 Times: A Comparison Study Among Patients with Acute Limb Ischemia With or Without COVID-19 Infection.

BACKGROUND: To determine the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI), mainly the limb salvage estimates the rate and the overall survival rate. METHODS: This was a prospective, consecutive cohort study of ALI patients with or without COVID-19 infection. Two groups of patients were identified: patients with ALI and COVID-19 infection and patients with ALI and without COVID-19 infection. The comparisons among the 2 groups were performed with proper statistical analysis methods. RESULTS: Two groups of patients were identified: ALI and COVID-19 infection with 23 patients and ALI without COVID-19 infection with 49 patients. The overall mortality rate (OMR) was 20.8% (15 patients) in total cohort within the first 30 days. COVID-19 group had a higher OMR than non-COVID-19 group (30.4% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.04). The limb salvage rate at 30 days was 79.1% in total cohort; however, non-COVID-19 infection group had higher limb salvage rates than COVID-19 infection group (89.7% vs. 60.8%, P = 0.01). A univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to test the factors related to a major amputation rate. Among the factors evaluated, the following were related to limb loss: D-dimer > 1,000 mg/mL (hazards ratio [HR] = 3.76, P = 0.027, CI = 1.85-5.89) and COVID-19 infection (HR = 1.38, P = 0.035, CI = 1.03-4.75). Moreover, a univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors related to overall mortality. Among the factors evaluated, the following were related to OMR: D-dimer > 1,000 mg/dL (HR = 2.28, P = 0.038, CI: 1.94-6.52), COVID-19 infection (HR = 1.8, P = 0.018, CI = 1.01-4.01), and pharmacomechanical thrombectomy >150 cycles (HR = 2.01, P = 0.002, CI = 1.005-6.781). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has a worse prognosis among patients with ALI, with higher rates of limb loss and overall mortality relative to non-COVID patients. The main factors related to overall mortality were D-dimer > 1,000 mg/dL, COVID-19 infection, and pharmacomechanical thrombectomy >150 cycles. The factors related to limb loss were D-dimer > 1,000 mg/mL and COVID-19 infection.

Late Outcomes of Elective Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair in a Tertiary Low-Volume Hospital in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to report early and long-term results of elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in a tertiary low-volume hospital in Brazil. METHODS: Between October 2006 and May 2017, 120 patients underwent elective EVAR for infrarenal aortic aneurysm. The interventions were reviewed retrospectively, focusing on 30-day mortality, long-term survival, and freedom from reintervention. Late outcomes were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. RESULTS: The follow-up's median and interquartile range was 3 (1-5) years. Overall, most patients were males (75%) and the median age was 74 years. Mostly patients were at a high risk for intervention (79.1%) and the majority was classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists III (53.3%). Preoperative aneurysm diameter median was 60 mm, interquartile range was 52.7-69. As per the postoperative aneurysm sac evolution, the number of patients with a reduction, stabilization, or an increase was 93 (77.5%), 18 (15%), and 9 (7.5%), respectively. The 30-day mortality was 6.6% and no late aneurysm-related deaths were identified. The overall incidence of late endoleaks was 24.1%, with the predominance of type II (23.3%), followed by type IA (0.8 %). Secondary interventions were necessary for 9 patients (7.5%). The 6-year analyses revealed freedom from reintervention and overall survival of 87.9% and 57.7%, respectively. The Cox regression analyses identified age > 75 years as an adverse factor for overall survival (hazard ratio = 2.5; P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, EVAR in a low-volume center was associated with high 30-day mortality, but satisfactory long-term results were identified.

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis Through Carotid and Femoral Artery Doppler Ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) classified as low-risk by the Framingham score, before and after the multiplication by 1.5 recommended by the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), and to stratify them using carotid and femoral Doppler ultrasound (DUS) in order to optimize the assessment of the asymptomatic cardiovascular disease incidence. METHODS: Thirty-five female patients with RA and 35 healthy women (control group), both with low cardiovascular risk by Framingham score, were enrolled in the study (randomized). All of them underwent carotid and femoral DUS studies. RESULTS: The mean age at diagnosis was 44.57 years, the mean disease duration was 12.11 years and the mean disease activity score according to the Disease Activity Score 28 was 1.91, whereas according to the Clinical Disease Activity Index, it was 6.176. The sample was homogeneous. Within the RA group, 46% showed changes in the carotid and/or femoral DUS, compared with 14% in the control group (p = 0.004). Of the DUS with abnormalities, in the RA group, 31% of the carotid DUS and 81% of the femoral DUS (p = 0.005) showed intima-media thickness and/or atherosclerotic plaques. After EULAR 1.5 multiplication factor, 66% remained low cardiovascular risk. Of these, 35% of the patients showed changes in the carotid and/or femoral DUS, compared with 14% of the control group (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: The EULAR criteria are effective at identifying patients with high cardiovascular risk. Carotid DUS and, especially, femoral DUS are tools that can be used in clinical practice as ways to detect CVD even in its asymptomatic form.

WIfI Classification Versus Angiosome Concept: A Change in the Infrapopliteal Angioplasties Paradigm.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the angiosome concept and WIfI classification in patients undergoing endovascular treatment is associated with the limb salvage rate and wound healing rate in patients with critical limb ischemia(CLI). METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive cohort study of CLI patients who underwent infrapopliteal angioplasty at the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Service of the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo, between January 2013 and January 2019. The primary outcome variable was the limb salvage rate and wound healing rate. The secondary outcome variables were patency, survival, time free from reintervention, and operative mortality rate. RESULTS: Overall, 95 infrapopliteal endovascular procedures were performed in 95 patients. The initial technical success rate was 100%. The mean ± standard deviation outpatient follow-up time was 775 ± 107.5 days. The analyses were performed at 360 days for wound healing rate and 720 days for limb salvage rates, overall survival, and time freedom from reintervention. According to the angiosome concept, there were 54 patients (56.8%) classified in the direct group and 41 patients (43.2%) in the indirect group. Regarding the WIfI classification subanalysis, there were 22 patients WIfI 0-1 (23.2%) and 73 patients WIfI 2-3 (76.8%). Furthermore, the indirect group had a higher ulcer healing rate than the direct group; however, it was not statistically significant (82.9%; 66.7%%, respectively, P = 0.059). However, the time to heal the ulcer was faster in the WIfI 0-1 groups than WIfI 2-3 groups (164.82 days versus 251,48; P = 0.017). The limb salvage rates at 720 days were similar among indirect and direct Groups (92.6% and 85.4%, P = 0.79). Likewise, the freedom from reintervention rates at 720 days were also similar in Indirect and direct groups (74.6% and 64%, P = 0.23). The survival rates at 720 days were similar in both indirect and direct groups (86.8 and 85.6%, respectively; P = 0.82). The amputation free survival rate at 720 days by the Kaplan-Meier method was 91.3% in the indirect group and 85.9% in the direct group, but with no statistical significance between the groups (P = 0.37) CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that, in endovascular treatment, the angiosome concept is no longer important to limb salvage rates, nor ulcer/wound healing rates. Moreover, the WIfI classification 0-1 is associated with faster and higher wound/ulcer healing rates than WIfI classification 2-3.

Rationale and design for the study Apixaban versus ClopidoGRel on a background of aspirin in patient undergoing InfraPoPliteal angioplasty for critical limb ischemia: AGRIPPA trial.

BACKGROUND: New antithrombotic strategies that reduce primary thrombosis and restenosis might improve vascular outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) undergoing arterial angioplasty. The study objective is to evaluate the potential benefit of apixaban plus aspirin compared with standard of care dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in reducing thrombotic restenosis and artery re-occlusion in patients undergoing endovascular infrapopliteal revascularization. STUDY DESIGN: This multicenter, parallel-group, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint adjudication, proof-of-concept, exploratory trial aims to randomize 200 patients 72 hours after successful infrapopliteal angioplasty for critical limb ischemia (CLI). Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive oral apixaban (2.5 mg twice daily) plus aspirin (100 mg once daily) for 12 months or clopidogrel (75 mg daily) for at least 3 months on a background of aspirin (100 mg once daily) for 12 months. The primary endpoint is the composite of target lesion revascularization (TLR), major amputation, or restenosis/occlusion (RAS) in addition to major adverse cardiovascular events - MACE (myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular death) at 12 months. The primary safety endpoint is the composite of major bleeding or clinically relevant non-major bleeding at 12 months. SUMMARY: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily plus aspirin compared with DAPT (clopidogrel plus aspirin) in patients with CLI undergoing endovascular infrapopliteal revascularization and might prove the concept of an alternative antithrombotic regimen for these patients to be tested in a future large randomized clinical trial.

Ultrasound Aspects and Recanalization Rates in Patients with Lower-Limb Deep Venous Thrombosis Treated with Rivaroxaban.

BACKGROUND: In this article, we report the ultrasound aspects and recanalization rates of patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the lower limbs treated with the rivaroxaban, focusing on the recanalization rate and the ultrasonographic aspects. METHODS: This was a prospective and consecutive cohort study of patients admitted with DVT who were submitted to treatment with rivaroxaban for 6 months at the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo, Brazil, between March 2016 and July 2018. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with DVT were admitted to the Vascular Surgery Department and received rivaroxaban for 6 months. The follow-up time was 360 days. Analyses were performed at 180 and 360 days. The rate of total venous recanalization at 360 days was 76.4% (39 patients). The incidence of partial venous recanalization was 23.5% (12 patients). At the first month, 11 patients (21.7%) continued with total occlusion of the vein, with 4 patients (6.5%) with no residual thrombi. However, at 6 months, only 2 patients (2.2%) continued with total occlusion of the vein, with 26 patients (47.8%) with no residual thrombi. At 12 months, there were 39 patients (76.4%) with no residual thrombi. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified the following factors related to total venous recanalization: the absence of popliteal vein reflux (odds ratio [OR], 0.386; P = 0.007), no residual thrombi (OR, 3.213; P = 0.008), femoropopliteal clot length at 1 month (OR, 3.021; P = 0.016), femoropopliteal clot length at 6 months (OR, 2.234; P = 0.008). The incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) at 12 months was 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, patients who received oral rivaroxaban displayed satisfactory total vein recanalization rate after 6 months and 12 months. The factors associated with better total recanalization rates were the absence of popliteal vein reflux, the absence of residual thrombi in the veins, femoropopliteal clot length at 1 month (OR, 3.021; P = 0.016), and femoropopliteal clot length at 6 months (OR, 2.234; P = 0.008). Moreover, the incidence of PTS at 12 months was 8.3%.

Comparison of Bypass and Endovascular Intervention for Popliteal Occlusion with the Involvement of Trifurcation for Critical Limb Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyze the technical aspects and outcomes of the treatment of occlusion of the popliteal artery with the involvement of the trifurcation treated with a bypass (open) and endovascular (endo) approach. METHODS: Overall, 108 consecutive procedures were enrolled retrospectively. Patients were evaluated in 2 groups: the endo group (65 patients) and the open group (43 patients). Primary outcome were MALE (major adverse limb events), amputation-free survival, and early mortality (until 30 days). Secondary outcome was overall survival in 3 years. Inclusion criteria were Rutherford 4 and 5 and occlusion of the popliteal artery with the involvement of trifurcation and, at least, 1 infrapopliteal artery of runoff. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 100% of patients in the open and 96.9% of patients in the endo group. Freedom from MALE was 73.5% and 68.5% for 1 and 3 years respectively for the endo group, and 84.3% and 77.2% respectively for the open group (P = 0.413). Considering the total number of major reinterventions executed until 3 years, the reinterventions was statistically more performed in the endo compared to the open group (P = 0.0459). Amputation-free survival for the endo group in 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years was 93.7%, 79.3%, and 66.0%, respectively, and the amputation-free survival for the open group was 88.4%, 77.4%, and 64.3% (P = 0.726). Early mortality was 9.3% for the open group and 1.5% for the endo group (P = 0.060). In 3 years, the overall survival was 75.1% in the open group and 84.3% in the endo group. CONCLUSIONS: In 3 years, follow-up endovascular treatment of occlusion of the popliteal artery with the involvement of the trifurcation has similar time freedom from MALE compared to open approach. Overall and amputation-free survival was not different between the groups besides more reinterventions in patients who underwent endovascular approach.

Analysis of the Safety and Efficacy of the Endovascular Treatment for Acute Limb Ischemia with Percutaneous Pharmacomechanical Thrombectomy Compared with Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the rates of limb salvage, survival, and perioperative mortality in patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) submitted to endovascular revascularization with pharmacomechanical thrombectomy (PMT) and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT). METHODS: This was a retrospective consecutive cohort study of patients with ALI who were submitted to endovascular treatment with PMT or fibrinolysis at the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (São Paulo, Brazil), between July 2015 and December 2018. The limb salvage rate and survival rate at 720 days were analyzed in both the PMT (group 1) and CDT treatment (group 2), as well as the perioperative mortality rate (PMR) at 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: One hundred twelve patients were admitted to the emergency department with ALI between July 2015 and December 2018. Seventeen patients diagnosed with Rutherford III irreversible ALI and 46 patients submitted to open surgery were excluded. Thus, 49 patients were submitted to endovascular surgery; 18 (36.7%) were classified into group 1, and 31 (63.3%) were classified into group 2. The clinical data were equal between the 2 groups, but there was a higher prevalence of thrombophilia in group 1 (3 cases; P < 0.001). The limb salvage rate and the overall survival rate at 720 days were similar between groups 1 and 2 (87.8% vs. 89.7%, P = 0.78 and 84.7% vs. 69.2%, P = 0.82, respectively). There was no statistical difference regarding secondary patency rates at 720 days between groups 1 and 2 (group 1, 81.9% and group 2, 78.8%; P = 0.66). The PMR was 16.7% (8 patients) within the first 30 days. Group 2 had a higher overall mortality rate (OMR) (6 patients, 19.3%, P = 0.03). Regarding the PMT group, there was a higher rate of complications such as myoglobinuria, hematuria, acute renal failure, and death in the subgroup of patients in whom there were performed more than 150 cycles/sec during the surgery (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the PMT and CDT endovascular procedures had similar limb salvage, overall survival, and secondary patency rates. However, the OMR was higher in the CDT group. Another important finding was related to the number of cycles/sec performed in the PMT group, in whom patients with more than 150 cycles/sec have presented with higher rates of hematuria, myoglobinuria, acute renal failure, and death.

The outcomes of internal iliac artery preservation during endovascular or open surgery treatment for aortoiliac aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Internal iliac artery (IIA) preservation continues to be a challenge during open surgery or endovascular repair of abdominal aortoiliac aneurysm (AAIA). OBJECTIVES: To determine the results in terms of survival and clinical outcomes in patients with aortoiliac aneurysms (AAIA) treated with endovascular (EV) or open surgical (OS) repair. METHODS: This was a retrospective consecutive cohort study of patients with AAIA who underwent EV or OS repair. RESULTS: Post-procedure hospitalization time and intensive care unit stay were both longer in the OS group than in the EV group (7.08 ± 3.5 days vs. 3.32 ± 2.3 days; p = 0.03; 3.35 ± 2.2 days vs. 1.2 ± 0.8 days; p = 0.02, respectively). There were two cases of bowel ischemia (4.7%; OS 8.3% and EV 3.2%; p = 0.48), two cases of buttock claudication (4.7%; OS 8.3% and EV 3.2%; p = 0.48), and one case of sexual dysfunction (2.3% OS), all of them in patients with bilateral occlusion of the internal iliac artery (five patients, 11.6%; p = 0.035). Overall survival at 720 days was 80.6% in the EV group and 66.7% in the OS group (p = 0.58). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, OS and EV repair of aortoiliac aneurysms had similar overall survival and outcomes. Preservation of at least one internal iliac artery is associated with good results and no further complications.

CONTEXTO: A preservação de uma artéria ilíaca interna continua a ser um desafio terapêutico nos pacientes com aneurismas aorto-ilíacos submetidos tanto ao tratamento endovascular quanto a cirurgia aberta. OBJETIVOS: Determinar os resultados da sobrevida e desfechos clínicos em pacientes com aneurismas aorto-ilíacos (AAIA) que recebem reparo endovascular (EV) ou cirúrgico aberto (CA). MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo de coorte consecutivo e retrospectivo de pacientes com AAIA submetidos a reparo EV ou CA. RESULTADOS: Houve maior tempo de internação pós-procedimento e permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva no grupo CA comparado com o grupo EV (7,08±3,5 dias vs. 3,32±2,3 dias; p = 0,03; 3,35±2,2 dias vs. 1,2±0,8 dias; p = 0,02, respectivamente). Houve dois casos de isquemia intestinal (4,7%; CA 8,3% e EV 3,2%; p = 0,48), dois casos de claudicação das nádegas (4,7%; CA 8,3% e EV 3,2%; p = 0,48) e um caso de disfunção sexual (2,3% CA), todos em pacientes com oclusão bilateral da artéria ilíaca interna (AII) (cinco pacientes, 11,6%; p = 0,035). A sobrevida global aos 720 dias foi de 80,6% no grupo EV e de 66,7% no grupo CA (p = 0,58). CONCLUSÕES: No presente estudo, o EV e o CA para aneurismas aorto-ilíacos apresentaram sobrevida e desfechos clínicos semelhantes. A preservação de pelo menos uma AII está associada a bons resultados e sem complicações adicionais.

Analysis of the results of endovascular and open surgical treatment of acute limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term estimates of limb salvage and survival in patients with acute limb ischemia (ALI) receiving open surgery or endovascular revascularization. METHODS: This was a retrospective consecutive cohort study of patients with ALI who underwent open surgery or endovascular treatment at the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Unit, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (São Paulo, Brazil), between July 2010 and July 2016. The overall mortality, limb salvage, and survival rates at 720 days were analyzed in both the open surgery (group 1) and endovascular treatment (group 2) groups. RESULTS: A total of 69 patients were admitted for a limb salvage procedure. The mean follow-up period was 822 ± 480.5 days. All of the analyses were performed at 720 days. Of the 69 patients, 46 (66.6%) were in group 1 and 23 (33.4%) in group 2. The clinical characteristics were similar between the groups, except for higher rates of chronic kidney disease (P = .04) and arrhythmia (P = .01) in group 1. Group 1 had a higher postoperative ankle-brachial index (P = .03). Concerning the Rutherford classification, group 1 had a higher prevalence of Rutherford IIB ALI (P = .003). The preoperative creatine kinase level was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (780 [range, 198-6546] mg/dL and 245 [65-78] mg/dL, respectively). A creatine kinase level >200 mg/dL was seen in 65.2% and 47.8% of patients in group 1 and group 2, respectively (P = .028). The limb salvage and overall survival estimates at 720 days were similar between group 1 and group 2 (79.2% vs 90.6% [P = .27] and 53% vs 60.8% [P = .45], respectively). The overall mortality rate was 10.1% (seven patients) within the first 30 days, and it was higher in group 1 (six patients [13.0%]; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Both open surgery and endovascular procedures are safe treatments of patients with ALI, with acceptable limb salvage and survival rates. No previous study has suggested the preferred treatment of ALI. However, based on this study and the overall literature, endovascular treatment may be the preferred treatment of patients with Rutherford I and IIA ALI; open surgery may be the best option for ALI due to arterial embolism and for Rutherford IIB acute arterial thrombosis because of a greater urgency to restore blood flow.

Evaluation of the BASIL Survival Prediction Model in Patients Undergoing Infrapopliteal Interventions for Critical Limb Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Survival prediction models are clinical tools that help professionals make the best treatment decisions. In the treatment of critical limb ischemia, several scoring methods have emerged; however, many are limited because they are not reproducible in different populations. This study analyze the Bypass versus Angioplasty in Severe Ischemia of the Leg survival prediction model (BASIL SPM), exclusively in patients who underwent infrapopliteal (InfraPo) revascularization for the treatment of critical limb ischemia. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort, patients who underwent InfraPo interventions during a 4-year period (2009-2013) were consecutively included, according to the primary intervention (endovascular or open repair), irrespective of combined treatment in the femoropopliteal and InfraPo segments. Performance of the BASIL SPM was determined using the area under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristic curve. Additionally, secondary patency, limb salvage, and overall survival were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 32.7 ± 23.8 months. In the total patient group (n = 134), the mean age was 72 ± 8.6 years (range, 46-91 years), and the main associated comorbidities were hypertension (85.8%) and diabetes mellitus (76.8%). Regarding differences between the groups, patients in the endovascular group (n = 100) were older (73 vs. 69.5; P = 0.033) and more frequently stratified as high risk (61% vs. 38.2%; P = 0.030) than the open repair group (n = 34). The area under the curve (95% confidence interval [CI]) using the BASIL SPM at 6, 12, and 24 months was 0.499 (95% CI: 0.344-0.657), 0.508 (95% CI: 0.353-0.629), and 0.549 (95% CI: 0.420-0.678), respectively. In the total patient group, the 36-month secondary patency, limb salvage, and overall survival were 31.5%, 81.1%, and 65.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The BASIL SPM was a poor predictor of life expectancy in this patient cohort.

The importance of the superficial and profunda femoris arteries in limb salvage following endovascular treatment of chronic aortoiliac occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report the long-term limb salvage, survival and patency rates of endovascular treatment for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) when outflow was achieved through the profunda femoris artery (PFA) only vs both the PFA and superficial femoral artery (SFA). METHODS: From January 2008 to July 2016, patients with AIOD who underwent aortoiliac angioplasty at the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo, Brazil, were classified into two groups according to whether they had femoral outflow via the PFA only (group 1) or both the PFA and SFA (group 2) in the affected leg. The primary outcome was amputation-free survival. The secondary outcomes were the patency and overall survival rates. RESULTS: In total, 69 aortoiliac angioplasties were performed in 69 patients: 22 patients (31.8%) in group 1 and 47 (67.2%) in group 2. A total of 12 reinterventions (17.4%) were performed, seven (31.8%) in group 1 and five (10.2%) in group 2, without statistical significance between the groups (P = .063). The mean clinical follow-up period was 2500 ± 880.5 days. Both the primary and secondary patency rates analyzed at 1800 days were similar between groups 1 and 2 (80.2% vs 82.3%; P = .80 and 84.7% vs 97.6%; P = .10, respectively). Furthermore, the limb salvage rates at 1800 days were similar between groups 1 and 2 (91.3% vs 86.1%; P = .60), as were the survival rates (74.7% vs 78%; P = .80). The Bollinger score was worse in group 1 (P = .001), as expected, because of occlusion of the SFA. However, the PFA and popliteal artery scores were similar between the two groups. Occlusion of the SFA did not influence the limb salvage rate according to univariate analysis (P = .509) and multivariate Cox regression analysis (P = .671). CONCLUSIONS: The patency of the SFA does not interfere with the outcomes of endovascular treatment for chronic AIOD. The PFA in conjunction with the popliteal artery as the sole outflow route for iliac endovascular treatment is associated with similar patency, survival, and limb salvage rates as those for outflow through both the PFA and SFA.

Number of infrapopliteal arteries undergoing endovascular treatment is not associated with the limb salvage rate in patients with critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the number of infrapopliteal arteries undergoing endovascular treatment is associated with the limb salvage rate in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive cohort study of CLI patients who underwent infrapopliteal angioplasty at the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Service of the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual, São Paulo, between January 2009 and January 2013. The primary outcome variable was the limb salvage rate. The secondary outcome variables were patency, survival, plantar arch quality, and operative mortality rate. RESULTS: Overall, 109 infrapopliteal angioplasties were performed in 92 patients, and the initial technical success rate was 95.6%. Based on the analyses of the arteriography of the endovascular procedures, the patients were classified into two groups according to whether they had undergone endovascular treatment of one artery (group 1) or two arteries (group 2). The mean outpatient follow-up time was 430 ± 377.5 days. The analyses were performed at 180 and 360 days. There were 72 angioplasties (66%) in group 1 and 37 (34%) in group 2. Hypertension was more frequent in group 1 (93.1%) than in group 2 (78.4%; P = .03). Other clinical characteristics were similar in both groups. Regarding postoperative complications, the incidence of acute kidney failure was lower in group 1 (0% vs 8.1%, respectively; P = .037). The limb salvage rate at 360 days was similar in groups 1 and 2 (89.4% vs 89.3%, respectively; P = .595). The secondary patency rate at 360 days was also similar in groups 1 and 2 (59.9% vs 60.9%, respectively; P = .571). The perioperative mortality rate was lower in group 1 (4.2% vs 16.2%, respectively; P = .039), but the survival rate at 360 days was similar in both groups (82.1% vs 75.1%, respectively; P = .931). The frequencies of complete, incomplete, and absent plantar arch were similar in both groups. The estimated limb salvage rates for patients with complete plantar arch or incomplete/absent plantar arch were 96.2% and 84.6%, respectively (P = .467), at 360 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that it is not necessary to treat the largest number of arteries possible in CLI patients. Instead, the most amenable artery for endovascular procedures should be treated to improve limb salvage and secondary patency rates.

Concept of Angiosome Does Not Affect Limb Salvage in Infrapopliteal Angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of the "angiosome" concept in patients with critical limb ischemia treated with infrapopliteal angioplasty, analyzing limb salvage, secondary function, and survival rates between those treated with and without reference to the concept of the angiosome (groups 1 and 2, respectively). METHODS: This was a retrospective, consecutive cohort study that evaluated 95 patients with critical limb ischemia who underwent infrapopliteal angioplasty at the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, São Paulo State Public Servants' Hospital, Brazil, between January 2009 and January 2013. Of the total 92 patients (109 limbs) who underwent angioplasty, 48 (52.2%) patients were in group 1 and 44 (47.8%) patients were in group 2. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups 1 and 2 in terms of the location, lesion severity, or active infection of the infrapopliteal angioplasty. However, groups 1 and 2 differed in their postoperative ankle-brachial indices, which were 0.95 ± 0.18 and 0.85 ± 0.18, respectively (P = 0.001). The estimates of limb salvage were similar in groups 1 and 2 (87% and 92.3%, respectively, at 360 days; P = 0.241). The analysis of secondary function did not differ between the 2 groups (65.1% and 58.3%, respectively, within 360 days; P = 0.92). Operative mortality was 8.3% in group 1 and 8% in group 2 (P = 0.60), and survival at 360 days was 78.5% in group 1 and 78.3% in group 2 (P = 0.86), which were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found no evidence to support revascularization based on the concept of the angiosome in preference to revascularization of the artery that is most amenable to endovascular treatment for limb salvage and secondary function.