Patient perspectives of quality of life in chronic limb-threatening ischemia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QOL) is an outcome that matters to patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). However, we identified the lack of and need for a CLTI-specific QOL instrument. Our group is developing this instrument which requires a deep understanding of patient perspectives of QOL in CLTI. METHODS: Qualitative inquiry with patient and public involvement was performed in accordance with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. Reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews was conducted within a constructivist-interpretivist research paradigm. Data were organized and managed in NVivo. Techniques to enhance trustworthiness included maintaining an audit trail, member checking, mentoring, and peer-debriefing. Patient and the public were consulted for feedback on codes, themes, and thematic maps. RESULTS: Thirteen participants (median age: 74 years, range: 43-90 years) with a variety of patient demographics were interviewed. Four themes were developed on QOL in CLTI: (i) 'independence as key to life satisfaction', (ii) 'change in identity when continuity is needed', (iii) 'coping with intractable disease', and (iv) 'not wanting to be alone'. Member checking with patient and public involvement confirmed the relevance and centrality of these themes to the lived experiences of patients with CLTI. CONCLUSIONS: The thematic outputs contribute important insights into what QOL truly means to patients with CLTI and what matters for their QOL. The content validity of the new CLTI-specific QOL instrument is improved by giving patients voice. This study highlights the value of qualitative inquiry and patient and public involvement in vascular surgical research.

A Systematic Review of the Quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: To assess the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument. METHODS: A systematic review of Medline, Embase, and online CPG databases was carried out. Four CPGs on CLTI were identified: Global Vascular Guidelines (GVG), European Society of Cardiology (ESC), American College of Cardiology, and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on lower limb peripheral arterial disease. Two independent appraisers analyzed the 4 CPGs using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument. CPGs were ranked across 6 domains with 23 items that ranged from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). A scaled domain score was calculated as a percentage of the maximum possible score achievable. A domain score of ≥50% and an overall average domain score of ≥80% reflected a CPG of adequate quality recommended for use. RESULTS: GVG had the highest overall score (82.9%), as an average of all domains, and ESC had the lowest score (50.2%). GVG and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines had all domains scoring >50%, while American College of Cardiology had 5 and ESC had 3. Two domains, rigor of development and applicability, scored the lowest among the CPGs. There was a lack of detail in describing systematic methods used in the literature review, how guidelines were formulated with minimal bias, and the planned procedure for updating the guidelines. Implications of guideline application and monitoring of outcomes after implementations were not explicitly discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The GVG guideline published in 2019 discussing CLTI is assessed to be of high quality and recommended for use. This review helps to improve clinical decision-making and quality of future CPGs for CLTI.

Case of Amaurosis Fugax in the Setting of a Persistent Primitive Hypoglossal Artery Requiring Carotid Endarterectomy with Regional Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND A persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA) is a rare congenital anomaly leading to persistent carotid-basilar anastomosis. This is a report of an 83-year-old man with a PPHA presenting with amaurosis fugax of the left eye requiring carotid endarterectomy under regional anesthesia. CASE REPORT An 83-year-old man presented with 2 weeks of intermittent self-resolving visual disturbances, followed by an episode of left eye amaurosis fugax. The patient had been referred to the hospital for further investigation of symptoms 1 day following the amaurosis fugax event. Carotid Doppler ultrasound demonstrated a greater than 90% stenosis of the left internal carotid artery. Computed tomography carotid and Circle of Willis angiography confirmed a mixed, ulcerated plaque and revealed a persistent left hypoglossal artery originating from the left internal carotid artery and continuing as the basilar artery. On day 3 of admission, left carotid endarterectomy was performed under conscious sedation and regional anesthesia to permit continuous monitoring of neurological status and avoid the need for intraoperative shunting. "Permissive hypertension" by targeting a systolic blood pressure of 190 to 200 mmHg was sought for the duration of clamp time. There was no deterioration of neurological function during clamping of the carotid vessels. The patient recovered well and was discharged 2 days after surgery, with no residual neurology. CONCLUSIONS This report has presented a rare case of PPHA to highlight awareness of this congenital vascular anomaly when undertaking carotid endarterectomy.

Quality of Life in Chronic Limb Threatening Ischaemia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the comparative effectiveness and temporal changes in quality of life (QoL) outcomes after revascularisation, major lower extremity amputation (MLEA), and conservative management (CM) in chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science. REVIEW METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed on QoL measured by any QoL instrument in adult patients with CLTI after open surgery (OS), endovascular intervention (EVI), MLEA, or CM. Randomised controlled trials and prospective observational studies published in any language between 1 January 1990 and 21 May 2021 were included. There was a pre-specified measurement time point of six months. Random effects meta-analysis was conducted on total scores for each QoL instrument. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations approach (PROSPERO registration: CRD42021253953). RESULTS: Fifty-five studies with 8 909 patients were included. There was significant heterogeneity in the methods used to measure QoL, and the study characteristics. In particular, 14 different QoL instruments were used with various combinations of disease specific and generic instruments within each study. A narrative summary is therefore presented. Comparative effectiveness data showed there was reasonable certainty that QoL was similar between OS and EVI at six months. Temporal outcomes suggested small to moderate improvements in QOL six months after OS and EVI compared with baseline. Limited data indicated that QoL can be maintained or slightly improved after MLEA or CM. Treatment effects were overestimated owing to small study effects, selective non-reporting, attrition, and survivorship bias. CONCLUSION: QoL after OS and EVI appears to be similar. Revascularisation may provide modest QoL benefits, while MLEA or CM can maintain QoL. However, certainty of evidence is generally low or very low, and interpretation is hampered by significant heterogeneity. There is a need for a CLTI specific QoL instrument and methodological standardisation in QoL studies.

A Review of Illness Perceptions in Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: Current Knowledge Gaps and a Framework for Future Studies.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to review illness perceptions (IPs) in chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients undergoing revascularization (open surgical or endovascular), major lower extremity amputation, or conservative management. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, WOS, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to August 20, 2021 for studies evaluating IP in CLTI according to Leventhal's common sense model (CSM). Since only 1 study was identified, a post hoc secondary literature search of MEDLINE was performed for reviews of IP in cardiovascular disease and diabetes to identify potential learning points for future research. All studies underwent narrative synthesis guided by tabulated data. RESULTS: One study and 7 reviews were included from the primary and secondary literature searches, respectively. Timeline and controllability were the main aspects of IP that predict prosthetic use in CLTI patients, more so at 6 months than 1 month. Other reviews in cardiovascular disease and diabetes identified important targets for future research: (1) factors that affect IP and whether IP can be used as an outcome measure, (2) relationship between IP and clinician-reported and patient-reported outcomes, and (3) methods to educate and change maladaptive IP. The importance of using valid and reliable measures of IP that encompass all components of Leventhal's' CSM was stressed. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of IP in CLTI patients is severely limited in contrast to other fields in cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This review helps to close this gap by raising awareness of IP and its importance within the vascular surgical community, and by providing a framework for future studies.

Measuring Quality of Life in Chronic Limb-threatening Ischemia Patients and Informal Carers: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: To review quality of life (QOL) instruments for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) patients and informal carers, and their use in QOL and cost-utility analysis (CUA) studies. BACKGROUND: CLTI is a global health problem with significant morbidity affecting patients and informal carers. QOL is increasingly measured for holistic outcomes assessment and CUA. However, measurement instruments in CLTI are poorly understood. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, COSMIN, PROQOLID, CEA registry, and NHS EED databases were searched for all English language studies up to May 2021. Features of instruments, evidence of measurement property appraisal, and trends in use were assessed. Prospective protocol registration (Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/KNG9U ). RESULTS: A total of 146 studies on QOL instruments (n=43), QOL outcomes (n=97), and CUA (n=9) were included. Four disease-specific QOL instruments are available for lower extremity arterial disease (intermittent claudication or CLTI). VascuQoL-25 and VascuQoL-6 have been used in CLTI. There is no CLTI-specific instrument. Of 14 generic instruments, SF-36, EQ-5D-3L, NHP, and WHOQOL-BREF were most common. Studies reporting partial measurement property appraisal favored VascuQoL-25, VascuQoL-6, and SF-36. Feasibility considerations include mode of administration and responder burden. None of 4 available carer-specific instruments have been used in CLTI. Since 1992, the number of QOL studies has increased considerably, but CUA studies are scarce. Informal carers have not been assessed. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a comprehensive reference for QOL measurement in CLTI that helps end-users with instrument selection, use, and interpretation. However, a CLTI-specific instrument is needed. There is an opportunity to benefit society through future CUA studies and evaluation of QOL in informal carers.

A Systematic Review of Cost-Utility Analyses in Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: To review and describe the available literature on cost-utility analysis of revascularization and non-revascularization treatment approaches in chronic limb-threatening ischemia. METHODS: A systematic review was performed on cost-utility analysis studies evaluating revascularization (open surgery or endovascular), major lower extremity amputation, or conservative management in adult chronic limb-threatening ischemia patients. Six bibliographic databases and online registries were searched for English language articles up to August 2021. The outcome for cost-utility analysis was quality-adjusted in life years. Procedures were compared using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios which were converted to 2021 United States dollars. Study reporting quality was assessed using the 2022 Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards statement. The study was registered in International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021273602). RESULTS: Three trial-based and five model-based studies were included for review. Studies met between 14/28 and 20/28 criteria of the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards CHEERS statement. Only one study was written according to standardized reporting guidelines. Most studies evaluated infrainguinal disease, and adopted a health care provider perspective. There was a large variation in the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios presented across studies. Open surgical revascularization (incremental cost-effectiveness ratios: $3,678, $58,828, and $72,937), endovascular revascularization (incremental cost-effectiveness ratios: $52,036, $125,329, and $149,123), and mixed open or endovascular revascularization (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio: $8,094) maybe more cost-effective than conservative management. CONCLUSIONS: The application of cost-utility analyses in chronic limb-threatening ischemia is in its infancy. Revascularization in infrainguinal disease may be favored over major lower extremity amputation or conservative management. However, data is inadequate to support recommendations for a specific treatment. This review identifies short and long-term considerations to address the current state of evidence. Cost-utility analysis is an important tool in healthcare policy and should be encouraged amongst the vascular surgical community.

Transient ischaemic attack caused by an ingested stingray barb.

A 76-year-old woman reported a fishbone stuck in her throat, but no foreign body was identified. Eight weeks later, she experienced a transient ischaemic attack, and a stingray barb was subsequently removed from the right common carotid artery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the migration of an ingested stingray barb.

Intraoperative neurological changes in 1665 regional anaesthetic carotid endarterectomies predicts postoperative stroke.

BACKGROUND: To maximize the benefit of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in stroke prevention its complication rate must be minimized. The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of a large series of CEA carried out under regional anaesthesia with selective shunting, with particular emphasis on identifying predictors for perioperative stroke and mortality. METHODS: Between 1987 and 2003 the data for 1665 consecutive regional anaesthetic CEA carried out in 1495 patients were collected prospectively; awake neurological testing facilitated selective shunting. Preoperative data, intraoperative events and postoperative in-hospital complications were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: There were 38 non-fatal strokes (2.3%) and 10 deaths (0.6%), giving a combined stroke and mortality rate of 2.9%. Only patients who needed shunting were found to have significantly higher rate of postoperative stroke and mortality (7.0 vs 1.9%, P < 0.001). Patient characteristics, comorbidities, indication for operation (P = 0.34) and the degree of stenosis of the contralateral carotid artery (P = 0.65) were not found to be predictive of perioperative stroke or mortality, although the latter two were found to be predictive of the need for shunting (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Regional anaesthetic CEA is a safe and effective technique with excellent morbidity and mortality rates. The technique can be undertaken safely regardless of the indication for endarterectomy or the status of the contralateral carotid artery. Patients who developed intraoperative neurological changes requiring shunting are identified as high risk for perioperative stroke or mortality and should therefore be carefully monitored postoperatively.