Robot-assisted endovascular treatment of hepatic artery aneurysm: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: Robot-assisted endovascular surgery has emerged as a new alternative to interventional procedures, with its application expanding to peripheral and visceral approaches. The objective of this paper is to describe a robot-assisted endovascular treatment in splanchnic arteries. METHODS: A case report of an asymptomatic male patient with an incidental finding of a saccular aneurysm of the proper hepatic artery measuring 3.7 × 2.7 cm and distant 0.6 cm from the origin of the gastroduodenal artery. RESULTS: Using a robot-assisted endovascular technique (CorPath GRX platform - Siemens), 2 guidewires were advanced in parallel: the first one was placed inside the aneurysm sac, while the second one was placed in the proper hepatic artery distal to the aneurysm; through the first guidewire, a balloon was advanced, positioned distally to the aneurysm, and through the second one, a microcatheter was advanced. Embolization of the aneurysm was performed with the use of coils and Onyx. Control exam performed 120 days after embolization revealed treated aneurysm and preserved distal arterial flow. CONCLUSION: Using a robotic platform for navigation in splanchnic territory is safe and effective.

Polidocanol-foam treatment of varicose veins: Quality-of-life impact compared to conventional surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lower limb varicose veins are a prevalent disease associated with several available treatment options, including conventional surgery and polidocanol foam sclerotherapy. However, few studies have analyzed therapeutic modality outcomes based on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). This large sample-size study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of polidocanol foam sclerotherapy compared to conventional surgery based on an analysis of PROMs. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational, and qualitative study of 205 patients who underwent varicose vein treatment with either polidocanol foam sclerotherapy (57 patients, 90 legs) or conventional surgery (148 patients, 236 legs). Patients were preoperatively assessed and re-evaluated 30 days after the procedure using the Venous Disease Severity Score (VCSS) and specific venous disease quality-of-life questionnaires (VEINES-QoL/Sym). RESULTS: Both treatments significantly improved VCSS and VEINES results 30 days after the procedure (p < 0.05). However, surgery promoted greater improvements in VCSS (on average 4.02-points improvement, p < 0.001), VEINES-QoL (average 8-points improvement, p < 0.001), and VEINES-Sym (average 11.66 points improvement, p < 0.001) than did sclerotherapy. Postoperative pain and aesthetic concerns about the legs were the domains of the questionnaires in which the results varied the most between the treatment modalities, with worse results for sclerotherapy. CONCLUSION: Both polidocanol foam sclerotherapy and conventional surgery positively impact patients' quality of life after 30 days, but the improvement is more significant for patients who undergo conventional surgery.

The joint profiles of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength on daily physical activity levels in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: In peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients, the joint profile of low strength and cardiorespiratory fitness on movement behaviors, specifically physical activity levels and sedentary time, remains unclear. PURPOSE: To investigate the joint profiles between cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness and daily physical activity among PAD patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a sample of 155 PAD patients. We measured their physical activity level per week using accelerometers, assessed their muscle strength through a sit-to-stand test and cardiorespiratory fitness through a six-minute walk test. Patients were categorized into three groups: those with high strength and cardiorespiratory fitness (NC, n = 28), those with at least one component classified as low (1C, n = 88), and those with both components classified as low fitness (2C, n = 39). RESULTS: The patients in the 1C and 2C groups spent less time engaged in low-light and moderate activities compared to the NC group (low-light: NC: 2291 ± 680 minutes/week vs. 1C: 1826 ± 649 minutes/week vs. 2C: 1885 ± 651 minutes/week, p = .005; moderate: NC: 2617 ± 796 minutes/week vs. 1C: 2071 ± 767 minutes/week vs. 2C: 2092 ± 776 minutes/week, p = .005) and the patients in the 2C group spent less time engaged in vigorous activities compared to the NC and 1C groups (NC: 155 ± 148 minutes/week vs. 1C: 110 ± 110 minutes/week vs. 2C: 64 ± 70 minutes/week, p = .003). CONCLUSION: PAD patients with low strength and/or cardiorespiratory fitness are more likely to spend less time engaging in low-light and moderate physical activities and patients with low fitness in both components are more likely to spend less time engaging in vigorous physical activity.

Health and lifestyle parameters in peripheral artery disease at two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic: comparison between men and women.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the impact of sex on self-reported health and lifestyle parameters in peripheral artery disease patients at two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 99 patients with peripheral artery disease (53 men and 46 women) were evaluated during two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic ( i.e ., at onset: May to August 2020, and on follow-up: May to August 2021). Patients were interviewed via telephone, and information regarding lifestyle and health parameters was obtained. RESULTS: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, health and habit parameters were similar between women and men, with 63.0% and 45.3% indicating frequent fatigue, 73.9% and 84.9% reporting increased sitting time, and 23.9% and 39.6% practicing physical activity, respectively. At follow-up, difficulties in physical mobility (women: from 26.1% to 73.9%, p<0.001; men: from 39.6% to 71.7%, p=0.001) and the frequency of hospitalization for reasons other than COVID-19 increased similarly in women and men (women: from 4.3% to 21.7%, p=0.013; men: from 9.4% to 24.5%, p=0.038). The other parameters were similar between the periods. CONCLUSION: Self-reported physical mobility difficulties and hospitalization frequency increased in women and men with peripheral artery disease. BACKGROUND: ▪ Sitting time increased in 73.9% of women and 84.9% of men at the onset of the pandemic. BACKGROUND: ▪ Physical activity was practiced by 23.9% of women and 39.6% of men at the onset of the pandemic. BACKGROUND: ▪ The prevalence of both women and men reporting physical mobility difficulties increased at follow-up. BACKGROUND: ▪ Hospitalization rates for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 have increased in both women and. BACKGROUND: While women experience more consequences related to peripheral artery disease than men, such as worse functional capacity and higher morbidity, there was a similar increase in physical mobility difficulty and frequency of hospitalization for reasons other than COVID-19 one year after the onset of the pandemic.

Analysis of Lower Limb Amputations in Brazil's Public Health System over 13 Years.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the causes of amputation is crucial for defining health policies that seek to avoid such an outcome, but only a few studies have investigated the epidemiology of patients submitted to amputations in developing countries. The objective of this study was to analyse all lower limb amputations performed in the public health system in Brazil over a 13 year period, evaluating trends in the number of cases, patient demographics, associated aetiologies, hospital length of stay, and in hospital mortality rate. METHODS: This was a retrospective, population based analysis of all lower limb amputations performed in the Brazilian public health system between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2020. Using a public database, all types of amputations were selected, defining the number of procedures, their main aetiologies, anatomical level of limb loss, demographic data, regional distribution, and other variables of interest. RESULTS: A total of 633 455 amputations were performed between 2008 and 2020, mostly (55.6%) minor amputations, predominantly in males (67%). There was an upward trend in the number of amputations, determined mainly by the increase in major amputations (50.4% increase in the period). Elderly individuals have the highest rates of amputation. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming the main primary diagnosis associated with amputations over the years. The highest in hospital mortality rate occurred after major amputations and was associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). CONCLUSION: Amputation rates in Brazil show an upward trend. DM is becoming the most frequent associated primary diagnosis, although PAD is the diagnosis most associated with major amputations and in hospital death.

Health and lifestyle parameters in peripheral artery disease at two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic: comparison between men and women

ABSTRACT Objective: This study analyzed the impact of sex on self-reported health and lifestyle parameters in peripheral artery disease patients at two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this longitudinal study, 99 patients with peripheral artery disease (53 men and 46 women) were evaluated during two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic ( i.e ., at onset: May to August 2020, and on follow-up: May to August 2021). Patients were interviewed via telephone, and information regarding lifestyle and health parameters was obtained. Results: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, health and habit parameters were similar between women and men, with 63.0% and 45.3% indicating frequent fatigue, 73.9% and 84.9% reporting increased sitting time, and 23.9% and 39.6% practicing physical activity, respectively. At follow-up, difficulties in physical mobility (women: from 26.1% to 73.9%, p<0.001; men: from 39.6% to 71.7%, p=0.001) and the frequency of hospitalization for reasons other than COVID-19 increased similarly in women and men (women: from 4.3% to 21.7%, p=0.013; men: from 9.4% to 24.5%, p=0.038). The other parameters were similar between the periods. Conclusion: Self-reported physical mobility difficulties and hospitalization frequency increased in women and men with peripheral artery disease.

National Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Analysis of the Impact of Pandemic COVID-19 on Vascular Procedures in Public Health System: 521,069 Procedures Over 4 Years.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a dramatic increase in healthcare demand. Resources were redirected to care patients with COVID-19. Therefore, surgical treatments were affected, including those of vascular diseases. There are no studies evaluating the whole impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, considering all types of vascular procedures, both elective and urgent, in a large country. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact on all types of vascular procedures performed in Brazilian public hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Cross-sectional population-based analysis of publicly available data referring to vascular procedures. Surgeries 2 years before the pandemic onset (2018-2019) and 2 years during pandemic (2020-2021) were included. RESULTS: We observed a total of 521,069 procedures. Decrease was observed in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repairs both open surgery (P = 0.001) and endovascular surgery (P < 0.001), emergency open abdominal repairs (P = 0.005), elective thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs (P = 0.007), elective open peripheral aneurysm repairs (P = 0.038), carotid endarterectomies (P < 0.001) and angioplasties (P = 0.001), open revascularizations for peripheral arterial disease (P < 0.001), surgical treatment of chronic venous disease (P < 0.001) and sympathectomies for hyperhidrosis (P < 0.001). However, there was an increase of lower limb amputations (P = 0.027) and vena cava filter placements (P = 0.005). There was a reduction of almost US$17 million in financial investments. CONCLUSIONS: The reorganization of health systems led to a significant reduction in vascular procedures and decrease in financial investments. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the number of lower limb amputations and vena cava filter placements.

Do Sociodemographic, Behavioral, Clinical, and Anthropometric Factors Influence the Association Between Sex and Functional Capacity in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease?

BACKGROUND: To explore the influence of sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and anthropometric factors on the association between sex and functional capacity in patients with peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients aged more than 45 years, diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD), from 2 Brazilian hospitals. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral risk factors, clinical profile, and anthropometric measurements were collected. Functional capacity was assessed using the 6-min walk test and the Walking Impairment Questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, were performed to assess the relationships between sex, functional capacity, and potential influencing factors. RESULTS: Among the 262 patients with PAD, 67 were women and 113 were men. Women exhibited lower absolute functional capacity and lower Walking Impairment Questionnaire scores compared to men, even after adjusting for potential confounders. However, relative functional capacity did not significantly differ between sexes after adjusting for variables. Pain-free walking distance was also lower in women compared to that in men, but this association lost significance after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Women with PAD had lower absolute functional capacity compared to men, influenced by various factors such as sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and anthropometric factors. However, the relative functional capacity was similar between genders, being influenced only by behavioral factors, while for the distance walked until pain, the association was lost after adjustments for sociodemographic factors.

Physiological responses during walking in men and women with intermittent claudication.

BACKGROUND: Miyasato et al. show that peak oxygen consumption, walking economy, anaerobic threshold, and cardiovascular responses (heart rate, blood pressure, and rate pressure product) during walking were similar between men and women with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication. There were no differences in the physiological responses to walking between men and women with intermittent claudication. Sex per se is not a factor that demands changes in walking prescription for patients with intermittent claudication. OBJECTIVE: Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), anaerobic threshold, walking economy, and cardiovascular responses during walking are used to guide and monitor walking training in patients with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication. Women with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication present greater impairments than men, and evaluating training markers according to sex for decisions regarding walking prescription in this population is important. This study aimed to compare VO2peak, walking economy, anaerobic threshold, and cardiovascular responses during walking in men and women with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication. METHODS: Forty patients (20 men and 20 women with similar baseline characteristics) underwent a cardiopulmonary treadmill test (3.2km/h and 2% increase in slope every 2 minutes until maximal leg pain). The VO2 and rate-pressure product were assessed. Data from men and women were compared using t-tests. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between men and women (VO2peak: 15.0±4.8 versus 13.9±2.9mL∙kg-1∙min-1, p=0.38; walking economy: 9.6±2.7 versus 8.4±1.6mL∙kg-1∙min-1, p=0.09; anaerobic threshold: 10.5±3.2 versus 10.5±2.2mL∙kg-1∙min-1, p=0.98; rate pressure product at 1st stage: 13,465± 2,910 versus 14,445±4,379bpm∙mmHg, p=0.41; and rate pressure product at anaerobic threshold:13,673±3,100 versus 16,390±5,870bpm∙mmHg, p=0.08 and rate pressure product at peak exercise: 21,253±6,141 versus 21,923±7,414bpm∙mmHg, p=0.76, respectively). CONCLUSION: Men and women with peripheral artery disease and similar baseline characteristics presented similar responses to walking, suggesting that decisions regarding walking prescription and monitoring can be made regardless of sex in this specific population.

Impact of physical activity on self-reported health parameters in peripheral artery disease in two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged social isolation intended to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), may potentially affect the physical activity level and health of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). OBJECTIVES: To analyze the impact of physical activity practice on longitudinal changes in self-reported health parameters during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with PAD. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: The database of studies developed by our group involving patients with PAD from public hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 99 patients with PAD were evaluated in two periods during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., May to August 2020 and May to August 2021). Patients were interviewed by telephone, and information was obtained regarding physical activity practice and self-reported health (i.e., current global, physical, and mental health). Patients were divided into two groups: the physically inactive group (patients who were or became physically inactive, n=76, 51.3% male, 67±10 years old, 8±7 years of disease duration) and the physically active group (patients who started or continued practicing physical activity, n=23, 65.2% male, 71±8years old, 7±6 years of disease). RESULTS: The physically inactive group more frequently self-reported their current health as poor (6.6 vs. 17.1%, P=0.045) and were more frequently hospitalized for reasons other than COVID-19 (6.6 vs. 27.6%, P=0.001) between the two periods evaluated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The physically active group self-reported lower declines in walking capacity (13.0 vs. 43.5%, P=0.022) between the two periods evaluated. We did not observe any differences in other parameters in either group between the two periods evaluated (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The practice of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic can help maintain or mitigate the negative impacts on self-reported global and physical health parameters in patients with PAD.

Proposed public policies to improve outcomes in vascular surgery: an experts' forum.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of vascular surgeries and identify strategies to improve public vascular care. METHODS: This was a descriptive, qualitative, and cross-sectional survey involving 30 specialists of the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein via Zoom. The outcomes of vascular procedures performed in the Public Health System extracted through Big Data analysis were discussed, and 53 potential strategies to improve public vascular care to improve public vascular care. RESULTS: There was a consensus on mandatory reporting of some key complications after complex arterial surgeries, such as stroke after carotid revascularization and amputations after lower limb revascularization. Participants agreed on the recommendation of screening for diabetic feet and infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. The use of Telemedicine as a tool for patient follow-up, auditing of centers for major arterial surgeries, and the concentration of complex arterial surgeries in reference centers were also points of consensus, as well as the need to reduce the values of endovascular materials. Regarding venous surgery, it was suggested that there should be incentives for simultaneous treatment of both limbs in cases of varicose veins of the lower limbs, in addition to the promotion of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in the public system. CONCLUSION: After discussing the data from the Brazilian Public System, proposals were defined for standardizing measures in population health care in the area of vascular surgery. Notification of complications of arterial surgeries is essential in identifying strategies to improve surgical outcomes. Screening of prevalent and/or morbid diseases allows early intervention and prevention of complications. Use of telemedicine in vascular follow-up allows optimizing the use of resources and reducing the burden on health services. Concentrating complex cases in reference hospitals leads to improved surgical outcomes.

Shared decision-making and specific informed consent in patients with aortic aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the refusal rate of elective aortic aneurysm surgery in asymptomatic patients after the presentation of a detailed informed consent form followed by a meeting where patient and their families can analyze each item. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 49 patients who had aneurysms and were offered surgical treatment between June 2017 and February 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: the Rejected Surgery Group, which was composed of patients who refused the proposed surgical treatment, and the Accepted Surgery Group, comprising patients who accepted the proposed surgeries and subsequently underwent them. RESULTS: Of the 49 patients, 13 (26.5%) refused surgery after reading the informed consent and attending the comprehensive meeting. We observed that patients who refused surgery had statistically smaller aneurysms than those who accepted surgery (9% versus 26%). These smaller aneurysms were above the indication size, according to the literature. CONCLUSION: One-quarter of patients who were indicated for elective surgical repair of aortic aneurysms rejected surgery after shared decision-making, which involved presenting patients with an informed consent form followed by a clarification meeting for them and their families to analyze each item. The only factor that significantly influenced a rejection of the procedure was the size of the aneurysm; patients who rejected surgery had smaller aneurysms than those who accepted surgery. Up to 26% of patients with aortic aneurysms refused surgical repair. The proposed technique, whether open or endovascular, did not influence patients' decisions. Patients with smaller aneurysms were more likely to refuse aortic aneurysm treatment.

What are the Main Risk Factors Associated with Erectile Dysfunction in the Elderly? A Cross-Sectional Study of 2436 Brazilian Elderly Men.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a multifactorial medical disorder often neglected in clinical practice between elderly men, defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse and a common clinical entity among men and associated with impaired quality of life and cardiovascular diseases in elderly men. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between ED and clinical, demographic and behavioral parameters in elderly men. Methods: A total of 2436 males aged 60 years and over who participated in the health screening between January 2008 and December 2018 were included in this study. Laboratory exams, clinical and behavior profiles were analyzed. Logistic regression models were used. Results: Men with ED were older (65.87±5.49 vs. 63.85±4.05 years old. p<0.001), higher prevalence of physical inactivity (23.8 vs. 19%, p = 0.039) and had a higher body mass index (BMI; 28.36±4.06 vs. 27.72±3.89 kg/m2. p<0.001) than men without ED. The multivariate model shown that hypertension (p = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (p<0.001), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), depressive symptoms (p<0.001) and age (p<0.001), were strongly associated with ED. Conclusion: The main risk factors associated with ED in elderly men were hypertension, diabetes mellitus, LUTS, depressive symptoms and age.

ANALYSIS OF 45,507 SURGICAL TREATMENT OF DISTAL TIBIA AND MALLEOLAR FRACTURES OVER 14 YEARS.

The distal leg joint fractures are among the most common fractures in humans across all age groups, and 50% of them require surgical treatment. Few studies discuss the epidemiology and costs of this fracture in the global and national literature. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the annual incidence and reimbursement value of distal leg joint fractures requiring surgical treatment from 2008 to 2021. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the complex structured data of high volume and high variability (Big Data), publicly available on the TabNet platform (DATASUS), via software with artificial intelligence. Data from 2008 to 2021 on surgical treatment for malleolar fracture, distal tibia fracture, and isolated fibula fracture were analyzed. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2021, there was an average incidence of 28.8 fractures/105 inhabitants per year, representing 14.62% of all fractures. The total amount paid for hospitalizations due to these fractures was R$ 34,218,014.62 over these 14 years. CONCLUSION: The incidence of distal leg joint fractures follows the pattern of those recorded in other countries. The adjustment of reimbursement over the years was lower than the accumulated inflation. Level of Evidence II, Economic and Decision Analyses - Developing an Economic or Decision Model.

As fraturas articulares distais da perna estão entre as fraturas mais comuns do ser humano ao longo de todas as faixas etárias, e 50% delas necessitam de tratamento cirúrgico. Existem poucos trabalhos discutindo a epidemiologia e os custos dessa fratura na literatura mundial e, principalmente, na nacional. Objetivo: Avaliar a incidência anual e o valor de reembolso das fraturas distais da perna com indicação para tratamento cirúrgico entre os anos de 2008 e 2021. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo para analisar os dados complexos estruturados de alto volume e alta variabilidade (Big Data), disponibilizados publicamente na plataforma TabNet (Datasus), através de um software com inteligência artificial. Foram analisados os dados de 2008 a 2021 do tratamento cirúrgico de fratura maleolar, fratura distal da tíbia e fratura isolada da fíbula. Resultados: Entre 2008 e 2021, houve incidência média de 28,8 fraturas/105 habitantes-ano, representando 14,62% de todas as fraturas. O valor total pago pelas internações dessas fraturas foi de R$ 34.218.014,62 ao longo desses 14 anos. Conclusão: A incidência das fraturas articulares distais da perna acompanha o padrão daqueles registrados em outros países. O reajuste do repasse ao longo dos anos foi inferior à inflação acumulada. Nível de Evidência II, Análises Econômicas e de Decisão - Desenvolvimento de Modelo Econômico ou de Decisão.

Is the Walking Impairment Questionnaire a surrogate marker of 6-minute walking test performance in patients with peripheral artery disease with different degrees of claudication symptoms?

AIM: To analyze the associations between the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in absolute or relative performance in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and different degrees of claudication symptoms. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-seven patients with PAD and claudication symptoms participated in the study. All patients underwent 6MWT and WIQ tests. Patients were divided into tertile groups according to their 6MWT performance (1st tertile = severe, 2nd = moderate, 3rd = mild). Multiple linear regression was performed to investigate the association between WIQ scores and the achievement of expected performance in the 6MWT. RESULTS: Claudication onset distance and time, total walking distance, and the percentage of the predicted values had a significant weak correlation ( P  < 0.01) with WIQ scores (distance, speed, and stair-climbing capacity). The correlations for almost all variables were slightly higher in the 1st tertile compared with the 2nd and 3rd tertiles (i.e. WIQ-distance and Claudication onset time, r  = 0.25 and 0.12, WIQ-distance and Claudication onset distance, r  = 0.34 and 0.18; WIQ-distance and total walking distance, r  = 0.23 and 0.18, respectively). Multilinear regression confirmed a slightly superior relationship in the 1st tertile compared with the 2nd tertile (i.e. WIQ-distance and Claudication onset time, R2  = 0.24 and R2  = 0.01; WIQ-distance and Claudication onset distance, R2  = 0.25 and R2  = 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: WIQ is weakly associated with absolute and relative 6MWT performance in patients with PAD. Despite slightly better correlations in patients with severe claudication symptoms, WIQ scores must be used with care as a surrogate marker of 6MWT performance in this group.