Cross-Sectional Analysis of 180,595 Lower Limb Amputations in the State of Sao Paulo Over 12 Years.

BACKGROUND: Lower limb amputations represent a high social, economic and health burden. Most of them are preventable and reflect areas for improvement in health care, making it essential to know their epidemiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective population-based cross-sectional analysis on all lower limb amputations performed in public hospitals in Sao Paulo between 2009 and 2020, the most populous Brazilian state, with 46 million inhabitants. Using a public database, we evaluated types, rates and trends of the amputations performed, main etiologies leading to the indication for amputation, hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality rates, demographics of the amputees and procedure costs. RESULTS: In total, 180,595 lower limb amputations and surgical revision of amputations were performed, with toe amputations (45%) and major amputations (33%) being the most frequent types of surgeries, with a recent significant increase in the rates for both these procedures. Peripheral artery disease was the most frequent etiology, followed by diabetes mellitus, with both showing an upward trend over the years. Most patients were male (69.3%), Caucasians (55.6%) and elderly. August was the month with the highest number of amputations in all years. Overall in-hospital mortality after lower limb amputations was 6.6%. Total reimbursed by the government was US$ 67,675,875.55. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral artery disease is the most frequent underlying diagnosis for lower limb amputations, followed by diabetes mellitus, with both showing an upward trend over the years. We observed seasonality in procedure rates, with peaks in August in all years.

Smartphone application for wound area measurement in clinical practice.

A total of 85 consecutive patients had their wound area measured. The procedure was executed in two parts. The first was to take photographs of the wound using a smartphone and measure the area using the imitoMeasure application (imito; imito AG, Zurich, Switzerland) by two raters. The second was to take photographs of the same wound using a 10-megapixel digital camera and posterior measurement of the area using ImageJ software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md) by one operator. The mean area of the wounds was 12.20 ± 10.45 cm2 for imito and 12.67 ± 10.86 cm2 for ImageJ measurement. The interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between ImageJ and imito was 0.978 for a single measure and 0.989 for the average measure. Considering the two measurements, the ICC demonstrated excellent interobserver correlation using imito (0.987). Larger wounds had a greater difference between the methods (4.28% greater with the ImageJ measurement when considering areas >9 cm2). No difference was found between iOS (ICC, 0.995) and android (ICC, 0.970) smartphone operating systems. The smartphone application is a useful method for area measurement with excellent accuracy compared with digital photography and the ImageJ processing tool.

Comparison between antegrade common femoral artery access and superficial femoral artery access in infrainguinal endovascular interventions.

BACKGROUND: Antegrade access for infrainguinal endovascular intervention can be achieved through the common femoral artery (CFA) or superficial femoral artery (SFA). A few studies with small sample sizes have shown similar efficacy and safety for antegrade puncture of the CFA and SFA. In the present study, we analyzed the feasibility of SFA access and the occurrence of complications between SFA and CFA ipsilateral access in a broader cohort. METHODS: In the present retrospective study, we analyzed data from 462 patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) who had undergone peripheral angioplasty from 2009 to 2016. The inclusion criteria were PAD at Rutherford stage 3 to 6 and use of an endovascular approach. Patients with coagulation disorders, those receiving anticoagulant therapy, cases with deployment of closure devices, cases with more than one access on the same limb, and patients with inadequate bed rest after the procedure were excluded. A systematic analysis of all patients' electronic medical records was performed to evaluate the demographic aspects and technical success and identify the possible complications associated with CFA and SFA access. RESULTS: Of the 462 patients, 290 had undergone SFA puncture and 172, CFA puncture. The demographic evaluation of both groups revealed no differences between the two groups, except that more patients with diabetes were in the CFA group and more patients with dyslipidemia and an advanced clinical presentation were in the SFA group. First puncture access was successful in 99.7% of the SFA group and 96.5% of the CFA group (P = .01). The hematoma rate in the SFA and CFA groups was 20.3% and 11%, respectively (P = .01). The incidence of major bleeding and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding was not significantly different between the two groups (P = .215). Only three patients had developed a pseudoaneurysm, two of whom were in the SFA group. Female sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.572; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.520-4.354; P < .001] and older age (OR, 1.034; 95% CI, 1.009-1.059; P = .007) were associated with an increased hematoma rate. CONCLUSIONS: SFA access was associated with a higher overall rate of hematoma compared with CFA access. However, no significant difference was found in the incidence of major bleeding between the two access sites. Planned SFA access should be considered as an alternative to CFA access.

Evidence-Based Practical Guidance for the Antithrombotic Management in Patients With Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in 2020.

This practical guidance, endorsed by the Brazilian Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis and The Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, the International Union of Angiology and the European Venous Forum, aims to provide physicians with clear guidance, based on current best evidence-based data, on clinical strategies to manage antithrombotic strategies in patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

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.

Kissing Balloon Technique for Infrapopliteal Angioplasty in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the technical aspects and follow-up findings regarding patients with critical limb ischemia who underwent the kissing balloon technique (KBT). METHODS: Thirty patients (34 bifurcations) were enrolled in this retrospective analysis between September 2010 and February 2017. All patients were submitted to infrapopliteal intervention for critical limb ischemia. The KBT is the primary treatment in 3 situations: for cases with >70% stenosis of the main artery located less than 1 cm of the bifurcation, occlusion of one branch with greater than 50% stenosis of the contralateral branch, or greater than 50% bilateral stenosis. Stents were considered in cases of recoil greater than 30% or flow-limiting recoil and were used in 7 of the 34 bifurcations (20.5%). RESULTS: Primary patency at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years was 100%, 68.1%, and 68.1, respectively. Limb salvage rates at 30 days, 1 year, and 2 years were 100%, 86.6%, and 65.0%, respectively. Wound healing rates at 30 days, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years were 7.1%, 34.4%, 44.5%, and 68.7%, respectively. The bifurcations of the V-shape and T-shape groups were compared in terms of wound healing, primary patency, and limb salvage. No differences were observed in wound healing (P = 0.268), primary patency (P = 0.394), and limb salvage (P = 0.755). CONCLUSIONS: The KBT is a feasible bifurcation approach for infrapopliteal angioplasties to maintain the patency of both branches after ballooning. The comparison between the anterior tibial artery and tibioperoneal trunk bifurcation and the peroneal artery and posterior tibial artery bifurcation revealed no difference in wound healing, primary patency, and limb salvage.

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.

Endovascular treatment of TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II D femoropopliteal lesions in patients with critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: The outcomes of endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal atherosclerotic lesions have been improving recently. Although open repair is indicated for class D femoropopliteal lesions based on the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC II) document, in some cases, it is reasonable to use the endovascular approach for these lesions. The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the technical aspects and outcomes of treating TASC II D femoropopliteal disease with endovascular approaches. METHODS: In total, 91 procedures between January 2011 and December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. We collected data corresponding to the technical aspects and outcomes of treatment from an electronic database. Images and videos of all procedures were reviewed. Among the 91 procedures, 70 were for popliteal artery occlusions involving the trifurcation vessels, and 12 were for superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusions of >20 cm in length; 9 procedures for occlusions meeting both criteria were also performed. The χ2 test was employed for statistical analyses, and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors. Patency, wound healing, and survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical significance was considered at P < .05. RESULTS: Approximately 44.4% of all patients were male. The mean age was 67.3 ± 20.7 years. Hypertension, diabetes, current smoker, kidney impairment, coronary disease, and cardiac insufficiency were identified in 92.3%, 66.6%, 21.7%, 7.6%, 25.6%, and 62.8% of the patients, respectively. All included patients had critical limb ischemia (11.5%, 84.6%, and 3.8% of cases corresponding to Rutherford categories 4, 5, and 6, respectively). Technical failure was observed in three patients (3.3%). The mean number of stents used was 0.7 ± 0.65 per patient. Primary patency at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years was 91%, 60.1%, 55.7%, and 50.6%, respectively. Limb salvage at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years was 95.2%, 82.2%, 76.9%, 71.8%, and 63.7%, respectively. Reinterventions were necessary in 11.1% of the patients. Comparison of curves revealed significant differences in the 60-day primary patency for the SFA and popliteal groups (standard error, <10%; log-rank, P = .039). Analysis of the risk and technical factors affecting primary patency, limb salvage, and overall survival indicated that female sex was associated with poor survival (odds ratio, 8.942; 95% confidence interval, 1.105-72.36) and that the use of stents was associated with high rates of limb loss in the popliteal group (log-rank, P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: For endovascular treatment of TASC II D femoropopliteal lesions, primary patency was better in patients with popliteal artery occlusions involving the trifurcation vessels than in those with SFA occlusions >20 cm in length. Female sex was associated with the risk of major amputations, and the use of stents in patients with popliteal occlusions was associated with major limb loss.

Femoral vessel injury by a nonlethal weapon projectile.

Rubber projectiles are used as an alternative to metal bullets owing to their lower morbidity and mortality rate. There are few reports of vascular lesions of extremities caused by rubber projectiles in the literature. The authors report the case of a 37-year-old man who was the victim of a penetrating injury to the left thigh with a rubber projectile. He reported only pain at the site of the injury; pulses were decreased in the affected limb. After arteriography confirmed an injury to the superficial femoral artery, he underwent an arterial and venous femorofemoral bypass using a reversed contralateral saphenous vein.

Endovascular treatment of penetrating arterial trauma with stent grafts.

BACKGROUND: The endovascular management of arterial injuries has resulted in reduced operating time, blood loss, hospital mortality, lower incidence of sepsis, and decrease in mortality rates. For penetrating trauma, however, the benefits of endovascular therapy are questionable. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained by retrospective analysis of electronic medical records. All patients with vascular trauma seeking care at our institution from January 2010 to December 2015 were reviewed. A total of 223 vascular trauma patients were enrolled. Of these, 18 patients (8 %) were treated with endovascular techniques. The data related to clinical presentation, patient characteristics, technical aspects of the treatment, and follow-up were analysed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 35.4 ± 17.8 years, 94 % were male. The mean injury severity score was 10.4 ± 2.5. The most commonly observed trauma mechanism was a gunshot in 10 cases (55 %), followed by lesions provoked by arterial catheter misplacement in five cases (27 %), and stab wounds in three cases (16.6 %). The main injury site was the subclavian artery, accounting for eight cases (44 %), followed by the superficial femoral artery and the tibiofibular trunk in two cases, respectively (18 %). The anterior tibial, fibular artery, axillary, common carotid, superior mesenteric, and profunda femoris were each affected once. Arteriovenous fistula was detected in nine cases (50 %), pseudoaneurysms in nine cases (50 %), and short occlusion in two cases (11 %). The mean follow-up duration was 753 days. The primary patency rate was 92.3 and 61.5 % after one and two years, respectively. The survival rate was 94.4 % after one and two years. Infection of the stents or limb amputations were not identified at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The endovascular treatment of penetrating arterial injuries with covered stents is feasible. However, the criteria used to choose the best method must be individualized.

Endovascular treatment of complex traumatic lesions of the infrapopliteal segment / Tratamento endovascular de lesões traumáticas complexas do segmento infrapoplíteo

The occurrence of vascular trauma due to a range of causes has increased considerably. In this setting, endovascular repair has arisen as a new and less invasive approach. We report the case of three patients with lesions of below-knee vessels that were treated by endovascular procedures.

A ocorrência de trauma vascular decorrente de diversas causas aumentou consideravelmente. Nesse contexto, o tratamento endovascular surge como um método novo e menos invasivo. Relatamos o caso de três pacientes com lesões abaixo do joelho que foram tratadas por procedimentos endovasculares.

Revascularização endovascular infrainguinal: fatores determinantes para a perviedade / Endovascular infrainguinal revascularization: predictive factors for patency

Contexto: A terapia endovascular tem avançado muito como tratamento para a doença arterial oclusiva infrainguinal, principalmente com o desenvolvimento dos materiais e dos stents autoexpansíveis de nitinol. Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados e os fatores determinantes da angioplastia fêmoro-poplítea em pacientes portadores de isquemia de membros inferiores. Métodos: Foram tratados, através de angioplastia com ou sem stent, 114 pacientes, e acompanhados por um período médio de 12 meses. A média de idade foi de 66 anos; 53 por cento eram do sexo feminino; 23,7 por cento eram portadores de claudicação incapacitante; 8,8 por cento, de dor isquêmica de repouso; e 67,5 por cento, de lesão trófica. As lesões foram classificadas segundo o TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II em A (53 por cento), B (34 por cento), C (5 por cento) e D (9 por cento). Resultados: A análise angiográfica do leito distal mostrou uma média de 1,4±1,0 artérias infrapoplíteas pérvias. O sucesso inicial foi de 97 por cento. No seguimento de 1, 6, 12 e 24 meses, a perviedade primária foi de 94, 78, 48 e 31 por cento, e a primária assistida, de 94, 84, 73 e 61 por cento, respectivamente (p = 0,005). O leito distal pobre e a presença de diabetes melito foram associados a uma menor perviedade primária (p = 0,01), enquanto a extensão da lesão não influenciou os resultados. As taxas de salvamento de membro em 6, 12 e 24 meses foram de 95, 90 e 90 por cento, respectivamente. Conclusões: A extensão das lesões tratadas não foi um fator determinante em nossa casuística para o menor sucesso da angioplastia, o que pode sugerir que as indicações para o tratamento endovascular possam ser ampliadas para pacientes com lesões TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II C/D.

Background: Endovascular techniques have undergone major advances with regard to the treatment of infrainguinal arterial occlusive disease, mainly as a result of development of new devices and self-expanding nitinol stents. Objective: To evaluate the results and determinant factors of femoropopliteal angioplasty in patients with critical lower limb ischemia. Methods: During the study, 114 patients were submitted to angioplasty or stenting and followed during an average of 12 months. Mean age was 66 years, and 53 percent were female; 23.7 percent presented disabling claudication, 8.8 percent ischemic rest pain and 67.5 percent tissue loss. Lesions were classified as A (53 percent), B (34 percent), C (5 percent) and D (9 percent) according to the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II. Results: Angiographic run-off analysis showed an average of 1.4±1.0 patent infrapopliteal artery. Initial success rate was 97 percent. At 1, 6, 12 and 24 months of the follow-up period, primary patencies of 94, 78, 48 and 31 percent, and assisted primary patencies of 94, 84, 73 and 61 percent were achieved (p = 0.005). Poor run-off and diabetes mellitus were directly associated with lower primary patency rates (p = 0.01), while angiographic severity of the lesions did not influence results. Limb salvage rates calculated at 6, 12 and 24 months were 95, 90 and 90 percent, respectively. Conclusions: Lesion length was not a determinant factor of lower success rates for angioplasty or stenting, which may suggest that indications for endovascular treatment can be extended to patients with TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II C/D lesions.

Relato de caso: implante transparietohepático de cateter de longa permanência para diálise / Case report: transhepatic insertion of long-term dialysis catheter / Case report: transhepatic insertion of long-term dialysis catheter

O implante transhepático de cateteres de diálise de longa permanência é um procedimento de exceção, utilizado para obter um acesso em pacientes com oclusão de veias centrais de membros superiores e inferiores. O caso descrito relata um paciente jovem, com história de 15 anos de diálise, que foi submetido no passado a um transplante renal sem sucesso. Esse paciente encontrava-se em urgência dialítica e oclusão comprovada de veias centrais de membros superiores e de veias ilíacas. Foi realizado o implante do cateter de longa permanência pelo acesso transparietohepático sob anestesia geral. A ponta do cateter foi posicionada ao nível do átrio direito. A diálise foi realizada satisfatoriamente no mesmo dia.

Transhepatic insertion of long-term dialysis catheter is an exception procedure used to obtain access in patients with central vein occlusion of lower and upper limbs. We report on a case of a young patient with history of dialysis for 15 years, who was submitted to an unsuccessful renal transplantation. This patient was in dialytic emergency and had confirmed occlusion of upper limb central veins and iliac veins. Transhepatic insertion of a long-term catheter was performed under general anesthesia. The catheter tip was placed at the level of the right atrium. Dialysis was satisfactorily performed on the same day.

Análise de culturas pós-desinfecção de máscaras para nebulização em centro de saúde / Analyses of bacterial cultures after didinfection of nebulization masks in health station

Os autores procuram avaliar, através de rigorosa metodologia laboratorial, a efetividade da desenfecção bacteriológica de máscaras para nebulização, usualmente reutilizadas em Centros de Saúde. Para tanto, foram selecionadas de forma aleatória 50 máscaras protamente usadas em inalações de pacientes adultos jovens com quadro clínico compatível com infecção de vias aéreas superiores (faringoamigdalites ou laringotraqueobronquites), instaladas há pelo menos 48 horas. Apresentou-se, assim, confirmação da aplicabilidade da solução de hipoclorito de sódio a 2(dois por cento) como método convencional de desinfecção de máscaras para nebulização