Cross-leg flaps: A nonmicrosurgical alternative treatment method in complex lower extremity trauma reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to present our experiences with cross-leg flap surgery, which demonstrates successful outcomes in lower limb soft tissue defects without the necessity of microsurgical intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective study included 26 patients (18 males, 8 females; mean age: 35.6±12.2 years; range, 18 to 65 years) between January 2015 and September 2019. A fasciocutaneous cross-leg flap was applied to the recipient extremity, and the extremities were immobilized by a tubular external fixator. Flap divisions were performed on the 21st postoperative day. At least two years of clinical outcomes were presented. RESULTS: Twenty-five flaps survived and recovered completely without any complication at the donor site, flaps, or the recipient area. In one diabetic patient, partial flap loss was encountered, which granulated with secondary healing. All patients demonstrated stable wound coverage, with none demanding additional soft tissue surgeries. All patients resumed normal ambulation and physical activity without any residual joint stiffness. CONCLUSION: Cross-leg flap method is an effective and respectable option for extremity salvage as a good alternative to free flaps for the management of traumatic complex lower limb defects. This method is simple, provides abundant blood supply to the wound, and does not require microsurgical experience or a good working recipient artery.

Lower extremity arterial disease vs. coronary artery disease: mortality differences after revascularization.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients undergoing revascularization for lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) may face a higher risk of mortality than those with coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aimed to characterize the difference in mortality risk between patients undergoing revascularization for LEAD and CAD and identify associated factors. METHODS: The 1-year database of 10 754 patients undergoing revascularization for CAD (n = 6349) and LEAD (n = 4405) was analysed. Poisson regression models were used to characterize interpopulation differences in mortality, adjusting for baseline clinical features, including age, sex, polyvascular disease, comorbidities, medications, and vulnerabilities. RESULTS: Individuals with LEAD were older, were more likely to have polyvascular disease, had more comorbidities, and received fewer cardioprotective drugs than those with CAD. Vulnerabilities remained more common in the LEAD group even after adjusting for these clinical features. The crude risk ratio of mortality incidence for LEAD vs. CAD was 2.91 (95% confidence interval, 2.54-3.34), attenuated to 2.14 (1.83-2.50) after controlling for age, sex, and polyvascular disease. The percentage attenuation in the excessive mortality associated with LEAD was 29%. The stepwise addition of comorbidities, medications, and vulnerabilities as adjusting factors attenuated the incidence risk ratio to 1.48 (1.26-1.72), 1.33 (1.12-1.58), and 1.17 (0.98-1.39), respectively, and increased the percentage attenuation to 64%, 73%, and 86%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality risk was almost three-fold higher in patients undergoing revascularization for LEAD than in those with CAD. The excessive mortality was considerably attributable to inter-group differences in baseline characteristics, including potentially clinically or socially modifiable factors.

Comparison of efficacy of nadroparin and fondaparinux sodium for prevention of deep vein thromboembolism in lower extremities after total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study of 592 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of nadroparin and fondaparinux sodium for prevention of deep vein thromboembolism (DVT) in lower extremities after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A total of 592 patients were enrolled in the study. Clinical data of patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in our hospital from December 2021 to September 2022 were retrospectively collected, which mainly included patients' general information, surgery-related information, and DVT-related information. The patients were categorized into the nadroparin group(n = 278) and the fondaparinux sodium group(n = 314) according to the types of anticoagulants used. Anticoagulant therapy began 12-24 h after operation and continued until discharge. DVT prevalence between two groups was compared. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25 (SPSS, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of DVT in the nadroparin group and the fondaparinux sodium group was 8.3% (23/278) and 15.0% (47/314), respectively(p = 0.012). Statistical analysis showed that nadroparin group showed a lower prevalence of thrombosis than fondaparinux group (OR = 1.952, P = 0.012). Subgroup analyses showed that nadroparin group had a lower prevalence of DVT than fondaparinux group in some special patients groups such as female patients (OR = 2.258, P = 0.007), patients who are 65-79 years old (OR = 2.796, P = 0.004), patients with hypertension (OR = 2.237, P = 0.042), patients who underwent TKA (OR = 2.091, P = 0.011), and patients who underwent combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (OR = 2.490, P = 0.003) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Nadroparin may have an advantage over fondaparinux sodium in preventing DVT in lower extremities after THA and TKA.

CCCTC-binding factor suppresses alpha-2-macroglobulin transcription to improve vascular endothelial cell functions in lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans.

Vascular endothelial cell functions affect lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (LEASO), while alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) are closely related to the function of such cells. This paper aims to identify the influences of CTCF on vascular endothelial cells in LEASO by regulating A2M. A rat model of LEASO was established to measure intima-media ratio, blood lipid, and inflammatory factor levels. By constructing LEASO cell models, cell viability and apoptosis were assayed, while autophagy-related proteins, CTCF and A2M levels in femoral artery tissues and HUVECs were determined. The transcriptional regulation of CTCF on A2M was verified. In LEASO rat models, femoral artery lumen was narrowed and endothelial cells were disordered; levels of total cholesterol, IL-1, and TNF-α enhanced, and HDL-C decreased, with strong expression of A2M and low expression of CTCF. The viability of ox-LDL-treated HUVECs was decreased, together with higher apoptosis, lower LC3II/I expression, and higher p62 expression, which were reversed by sh-A2M transfection. Overexpression of CTCF inhibited A2M transcription, promoted the viability and autophagy of HUVECs, and decreased apoptosis. Collectively, CTCF improves the function of vascular endothelial cells in LEASO by inhibiting A2M transcription.

Development and validation of a risk prediction model and prediction tools for post-thrombotic syndrome in patients with lower limb deep vein thrombosis.

PURPOSE: Our research aims to compare the predictive performance of decision tree algorithms (DT) and logistic regression analysis (LR) in constructing models, and develop a Post-Thrombotic Syndrome (PTS) risk stratification tool. METHODS: We retrospectively collected and analyzed relevant case information of 618 patients diagnosed with DVT from January 2012 to December 2021 in three different tertiary hospitals in Jiangxi Province as the modeling group. Additionally, we used the case information of 212 patients diagnosed with DVT from January 2022 to January 2023 in two tertiary hospitals in Hubei Province and Guangdong Province as the validation group. We extracted electronic medical record information including general patient data, medical history, laboratory test indicators, and treatment data for analysis. We established DT and LR models and compared their predictive performance using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and confusion matrices. Internal and external validations were conducted. Additionally, we utilized LR to generate nomogram charts, calibration curves, and decision curves analysis (DCA) to assess its predictive accuracy. RESULTS: Both DT and LR models indicate that Year, Residence, Cancer, Varicose Vein Operation History, DM, and Chronic VTE are risk factors for PTS occurrence. In internal validation, DT outperforms LR (0.962 vs 0.925, z = 3.379, P < 0.001). However, in external validation, there is no significant difference in the area under the ROC curve between the two models (0.963 vs 0.949, z = 0.412, P = 0.680). The validation results of calibration curves and DCA demonstrate that LR exhibits good predictive accuracy and clinical effectiveness. A web-based calculator software of nomogram (https://sunxiaoxuan.shinyapps.io/dynnomapp/) was utilized to visualize the logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of decision tree and logistic regression models, along with the web-based calculator software of nomogram, can assist healthcare professionals in accurately assessing the risk of PTS occurrence in individual patients with lower limb DVT.

[Impact of anemia on incidence of perioperative lower limb deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty].

Objective: To explore the impact of anemia on the incidence of perioperative lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 1 916 non-fracture patients who underwent THA between September 2015 and December 2021, meeting the selection criteria. Among them, there were 811 male and 1 105 female patients, aged between 18 and 94 years with an average of 59.2 years. Among the patients, 213 were diagnosed with anemia, while 1 703 were not. Preoperative DVT was observed in 55 patients, while 1 861 patients did not have DVT preoperatively (of which 75 patients developed new-onset DVT postoperatively). Univariate analysis was performed on variables including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, hypertension, history of tumors, history of thrombosis, history of smoking, revision surgery, preoperative D-dimer positivity (≥0.5 mg/L), presence of anemia, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirement, and pre- and post-operative levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets. Furthermore, logistic regression was utilized for multivariate analysis to identify risk factors associated with DVT formation. Results: Univariate analysis showed that age, gender, hypertension, revision surgery, preoperative levels of red blood cells, preoperative hemoglobin, preoperative D-dimer positivity, and anemia were influencing factors for preoperative DVT ( P<0.05). Further logistic regression analysis indicated that age (>60 years old), female, preoperative D-dimer positivity, and anemia were risk factors for preoperative DVT ( P<0.05). Univariate analysis also revealed that age, female, revision surgery, preoperative D-dimer positivity, anemia, transfusion requirement, postoperative level of red blood cells, and postoperative hemoglobin level were influencing factors for postoperative new-onset DVT ( P<0.05). Further logistic regression analysis indicated that age (>60 years old), female, and revision surgery were risk factors for postoperative new-onset DVT ( P<0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of anemia is higher among patients with preoperative DVT for THA, and anemia is an independent risk factor for preoperative DVT occurrence in THA. While anemia may not be an independent risk factor for THA postoperative new-onset DVT, the incidence of anemia is higher among patients with postoperative new-onset DVT.

The Utility of Advanced Lower-Extremity Duplex Using Pedal Acceleration Time in the Management of the Threatened Diabetic Foot.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes and diffuse infrageniculate arterial disease who present with chronic limb-threatening ischemia require an exact anatomical plan for revascularization. Advanced pedal duplex can be used to define possible routes for revascularization. In addition, pedal acceleration time (PAT) can predict the success or failure of both medical and surgical interventions. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who were referred to our group for unilateral limb-threatening ischemia with isolated infrageniculate disease was conducted. Pedal duplex and PAT at the base of the wound was performed before and 1 week after intervention. The primary endpoint was limb salvage at 1 year. Revascularization was defined as direct or indirect based on the angiosome concept. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients meeting inclusion criteria presented over a 5-year period (toe wound, n = 42; heel wound, n = 8; both, n = 4). At 1 year, 10 (18.5%) had required below-knee amputation, whereas the remainder had healed/improved. Limb salvage was predicted by absence of ongoing smoking, absence of dialysis, and postprocedural PAT (class I/II). Limb salvage did not correlate with direct versus indirect revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced lower-extremity duplex in conjunction with determining PAT at the area of concern is a useful technique for mapping the vasculature and identifying targets for revascularization in patients with diffuse infrageniculate disease. Target artery revascularization to the wound bed resulting in a PAT less than 180 msec is predictive of limb salvage, regardless of whether perfusion is direct or indirect.

Effects of additional exercise therapy after a successful vascular intervention for people with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterised by obstruction or narrowing of the large arteries of the lower limbs, usually caused by atheromatous plaques. Most people with PAD who experience intermittent leg pain (intermittent claudication) are typically treated with secondary prevention strategies, including medical management and exercise therapy. Lower limb revascularisation may be suitable for people with significant disability and those who do not show satisfactory improvement after conservative treatment. Some studies have suggested that lower limb revascularisation for PAD may not confer significantly more benefits than supervised exercise alone for improved physical function and quality of life. It is proposed that supervised exercise therapy as adjunctive treatment after successful lower limb revascularisation may confer additional benefits, surpassing the effects conferred by either treatment alone. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of a supervised exercise programme versus standard care following successful lower limb revascularisation in people with PAD. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Vascular Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, two other databases, and two trial registers, most recently on 14 March 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials which compared supervised exercise training following lower limb revascularisation with standard care following lower limb revascularisation in adults (18 years and older) with PAD. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were maximum walking distance or time (MWD/T) on the treadmill, six-minute walk test (6MWT) total distance, and pain-free walking distance or time (PFWD/T) on the treadmill. Our secondary outcomes were changes in the ankle-branchial index, all-cause mortality, changes in health-related quality-of-life scores, reintervention rates, and changes in subjective measures of physical function. We analysed continuous data by determining the mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI), and dichotomous data by determining the odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% CI. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS: We identified seven studies involving 376 participants. All studies involved participants who received either additional supervised exercise or standard care after lower limb revascularisation. The studies' exercise programmes varied, and included supervised treadmill walking, combined exercise, and circuit training. The duration of exercise therapy ranged from six weeks to six months; follow-up time ranged from six weeks to five years. Standard care also varied between studies, including no treatment or advice to stop smoking, lifestyle modifications, or best medical treatment. We classified all studies as having some risk of bias concerns. The certainty of the evidence was very low due to the risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. The meta-analysis included only a subset of studies due to concerns regarding data reporting, heterogeneity, and bias in most published research. The evidence was of very low certainty for all the review outcomes. Meta-analysis comparing changes in maximum walking distance from baseline to end of follow-up showed no improvement (MD 159.47 m, 95% CI -36.43 to 355.38; I2 = 0 %; 2 studies, 89 participants). In contrast, exercise may improve the absolute maximum walking distance at the end of follow-up compared to standard care (MD 301.89 m, 95% CI 138.13 to 465.65; I2 = 0 %; 2 studies, 108 participants). Moreover, we are very uncertain if there are differences in the changes in the six-minute walk test total distance from baseline to treatment end between exercise and standard care (MD 32.6 m, 95% CI -17.7 to 82.3; 1 study, 49 participants), and in the absolute values at the end of follow-up (MD 55.6 m, 95% CI -2.6 to 113.8; 1 study, 49 participants). Regarding pain-free walking distance, we are also very uncertain if there are differences in the mean changes in PFWD from baseline to treatment end between exercise and standard care (MD 167.41 m, 95% CI -11 to 345.83; I2 = 0%; 2 studies, 87 participants). We are very uncertain if there are differences in the absolute values of ankle-brachial index at the end of follow-up between the intervention and standard care (MD 0.01, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.12; I2 = 62%; 2 studies, 110 participants), in mortality rates at the end of follow-up (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.42 to 2.00; I2 = 0%; 6 studies, 346 participants), health-related quality of life at the end of follow-up for the physical (MD 0.73, 95% CI -5.87 to 7.33; I2 = 64%; 2 studies, 105 participants) and mental component (MD 1.04, 95% CI -6.88 to 8.95; I2 = 70%; 2 studies, 105 participants) of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey. Finally, there may be little to no difference in reintervention rates at the end of follow-up between the intervention and standard care (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.23 to 3.65; I2 = 65%; 5 studies, 252 participants). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is very uncertain evidence that additional exercise therapy after successful lower limb revascularisation may improve absolute maximal walking distance at the end of follow-up compared to standard care. Evidence is also very uncertain about the effects of exercise on pain-free walking distance, six-minute walk test distance, quality of life, ankle-brachial index, mortality, and reintervention rates. Although it is not possible to confirm the effectiveness of supervised exercise compared to standard care for all outcomes, studies did not report any harm to participants from this intervention after lower limb revascularisation. Overall, the evidence incorporated into this review was very uncertain, and additional evidence is needed from large, well-designed, randomised controlled studies to more conclusively demonstrate the role additional exercise therapy has after lower limb revascularisation in people with PAD.

Management of lower-extremity venous thromboembolism: An updated review.

According to the 2021 updated guidelines of the American College of Chest Physicians, the location of venous thromboembolism, the severity of symptoms, the risk of thrombus extension vs that of bleeding, and comorbidities all affect the decision to treat, the choice of anti-thrombotic agent, and the duration of therapy. In patients with isolated distal deep vein thrombosis without high-risk features, monitoring progression is recommended over initiating anticoagulation. However, treatment of proximal deep vein thrombosis with anticoagulation is strongly recommended by the guidelines. More evidence now supports the treatment of superficial vein thrombosis with anticoagulation in high-risk patients.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy During Reactive Hyperemia for the Assessment of Lower Limb Vascular Function.

Vascular diseases of the lower limb contribute substantially to the global burden of cardiovascular disease and comorbidities such as diabetes. Importantly, microvascular dysfunction can occur prior to, or alongside, macrovascular pathology, and both potentially contribute to patient symptoms and disease burden. Here, we describe a non-invasive approach using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during reactive hyperemia, which provides a standardized assessment of lower limb vascular (dys)function and a potential method to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Unlike alternative methods, such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound, this approach does not require venous access or sophisticated image analysis, and it is inexpensive and less operator-dependent. This description of the NIRS method includes representative results and standard terminology alongside the discussion of measurement considerations, limitations, and alternative methods. Future application of this work will improve standardization of vascular research design, data collection procedures, and harmonized reporting, thereby enhancing translational research outcomes in the areas of lower limb vascular (dys)function, disease, and treatment.

Treatment of hard-to-heal wounds in ischaemic lower extremities with a novel fish skin-derived matrix.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment of hard-to-heal wounds of patients with ischaemia of the lower extremities, and compare an omega-3 wound matrix product (Kerecis, Iceland) with a standard dressing. METHOD: A single-centre, prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial of patients with hard-to-heal wounds following three weeks of standard care was undertaken. The ischaemic condition of the wound was confirmed as a decreased transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2) of <40mmHg. After randomising patients into either a case (omega-3 dressing) or a control group (standard dressing), the weekly decrease in wound area over 12 weeks and the number of patients that achieved complete wound closure were compared between the two groups. Patients with a TcPO2 of ≤32mmHg were taken for further analysis of their wound in a severe ischaemic context. RESULTS: A total of 28 patients were assigned to the case group and 22 patients to the control group. Over the course of 12 weeks, the wound area decreased more rapidly in the case group than the control group. Complete wound healing occurred in 82% of patients in the case group and 45% in the control group. Even in patients with a severe ischaemic wound with a TcPO2 value of <32 mmHg, wound area decreased more rapidly in the case group than the control group. The proportions of re-epithelialised area in the case and control groups were 80.24% and 57.44%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Considering the more rapid decrease in wound area and complete healing ratio in the case group, application of a fish skin-derived matrix for treating lower-extremity hard-to-heal wounds, especially with impaired vascularity, would appear to be a good treatment option.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of endovascular therapy versus open surgical repair for the traumatic lower extremity arterial injury.

OBJECTIVE: For traumatic lower extremity artery injury, it is unclear whether it is better to perform endovascular therapy (ET) or open surgical repair (OSR). This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of ET versus OSR for traumatic lower extremity artery injury. METHODS: The Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Databases were searched for studies. Cohort studies and case series reporting outcomes of ET or OSR were eligible for inclusion. Robins-I tool and an 18-item tool were used to assess the risk of bias. The primary outcome was amputation. The secondary outcomes included fasciotomy or compartment syndrome, mortality, length of stay and lower extremity nerve injury. We used the random effects model to calculate pooled estimates. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies with low or moderate risk of bias were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that patients who underwent ET had a significantly decreased risk of major amputation (OR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.21-0.85; I2=34%) and fasciotomy or compartment syndrome (OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.20-0.50, I2 = 14%) than patients who underwent OSR. No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding all-cause mortality (OR = 1.11, 95% CI 0.75-1.64, I2 = 31%). Patients with ET repair had a shorter length of stay than patients with OSR repair (MD=-5.06, 95% CI -6.76 to -3.36, I2 = 65%). Intraoperative nerve injury was just reported in OSR patients with a pooled incidence of 15% (95% CI 6%-27%). CONCLUSION: Endovascular therapy may represent a better choice for patients with traumatic lower extremity arterial injury, because it can provide lower risks of amputation, fasciotomy or compartment syndrome, and nerve injury, as well as shorter length of stay.

Diagnosis and treatment of deep vein thrombosis of the lower and upper limbs. 2024 recommendations of the venous thromboembolism group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the limbs is a common disease and causes significant morbidity and mortality. It is frequently the prelude to pulmonary embolism (PE), it can recur in 30% of patients and in 25-40% of cases they can develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), with a significant impact in functional status and quality of life. This document contains the recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of acute DVT from the Thromboembolic Disease group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI). PE and thrombosis of unusual venous territories (cerebral, renal, mesenteric, superficial, etc.) are outside its scope, as well as thrombosis associated with catheter and thrombosis associated with cancer, which due to their peculiarities will be the subject of other positioning documents of the Thromboembolic Disease group of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI).

Turbo spin-echo-based enhanced acceleration-selective arterial spin labeling without electrocardiography or peripheral pulse unit triggering and contrast enhancement for lower extremity MRA.

PURPOSE: Lower extremity magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) without electrocardiography (ECG) or peripheral pulse unit (PPU) triggering and contrast enhancement is beneficial for diagnosing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) while avoiding synchronization failure and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of turbo spin-echo-based enhanced acceleration-selective arterial spin labeling (eAccASL) (TSE-Acc) of the lower extremities with that of turbo field-echo-based eAccASL (TFE-Acc) and triggered angiography non-contrast enhanced (TRANCE). METHODS: Nine healthy volunteers and a patient with PAD were examined on a 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The artery-to-muscle signal intensity ratio (SIR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. The arterial visibility (1: poor, 4: excellent) and artifact contamination (1: severe, 4: no) were independently assessed by two radiologists. Phase-contrast MRI and digital subtraction angiography were referenced in a patient with PAD. Friedman's test and a post-hoc test according to the Bonferroni-adjusted Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for the SIR, CNR, and visual assessment. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: No significant differences in nearly all the SIRs were observed among the three MRA methods. Higher CNRs were observed with TSE-Acc than those with TFE-Acc (anterior tibial artery, p = 0.014; peroneal artery, p = 0.029; and posterior tibial artery, p = 0.014) in distal arterial segments; however, no significant differences were observed upon comparison with TRANCE (all p > 0.05). The arterial visibility scores exhibited similar trends as the CNRs. The artifact contamination scores with TSE-Acc were significantly lower (but within an acceptable level) compared to those with TFE-Acc. In the patient with PAD, the sluggish peripheral arteries were better visualized using TSE-Acc than those using TFE-Acc, and the collateral and stenosis arteries were better visualized using TSE-Acc than those using TRANCE. CONCLUSION: Peripheral arterial visualization was better with TSE-Acc than that with TFE-Acc in lower extremity MRA without ECG or PPU triggering and contrast enhancement, which was comparable with TRANCE as the reference standard. Furthermore, TSE-Acc may propose satisfactory diagnostic performance for diagnosing PAD in patients with arrhythmia and chronic kidney disease.

A systematic review of the neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratios in patients with lower extremity arterial disease.

Lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) is caused by atherosclerotic plaque in the arterial supply to the lower limbs. The neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratios (NLR, PLR) are established markers of systemic inflammation which are related to inferior outcomes in multiple clinical conditions, though remain poorly described in patients with LEAD. This review was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The MEDLINE database was interrogated for relevant studies. Primary outcome was the prognostic effect of NLR and PLR on clinical outcomes following treatment, and secondary outcomes were the prognostic effect of NLR and PLR on disease severity and technical success following revascularisation. There were 34 studies included in the final review reporting outcomes on a total of 19870 patients. NLR was investigated in 21 studies, PLR was investigated in two studies, and both NLR & PLR were investigated in 11 studies. Relating to increased levels of systemic inflammation, 20 studies (100%) reported inferior clinical outcomes, 13 (92.9%) studies reported increased disease severity, and seven (87.5%) studies reported inferior technical results from revascularisation. The studies included in this review support the role of elevated NLR and PLR as key components influencing the clinical outcomes, severity, and success of treatment in patients with LEAD. The use of these easily accessible, cost effective and routinely available markers is supported by the present review.