Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index Predicts Restenosis after Interventions for Lower Extremity Arteriosclerosis Obliterans.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between the pretreatment systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and restenosis after interventions for lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 309 patients with ASO who underwent endovascular interventions between January 2018 and December 2021. Pretreatment inflammatory markers, including the SII, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were collected. The logistic regression model was used to determine the associations between these inflammatory markers and restenosis. Clinical manifestations, ankle-brachial index (ABI), and quality of life after intervention also were compared. RESULTS: The pretreatment SII (p < 0.001), NLR (p < 0.001), PLR (p < 0.001), SIRI (p = 0.002), AISI (p < 0.001), and CRP (p = 0.036) were significantly higher in patients with restenosis than in those without restenosis. Among the four markers, SII had the highest area under the curve (AUC) in predicting restenosis (SII vs. NLR vs. PLR vs. SIRI vs. AISI vs. CRP: 0.715 vs. 0.689 vs. 0.695 vs. 0.643 vs. 0.691 vs. 0.596). Multivariate analysis revealed that the pretreatment SII was the only independent factor for restenosis (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.102; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.155-14.567; p = 0.029). Moreover, a lower SII was associated with significantly better improvements in clinical manifestations (Rutherford classification 1-2: 67.5% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.038) and ABI (median: 0.29 vs. 0.22; p = 0.029), together with better quality of life (p < 0.05 for physical functioning, social functioning, pain, and mental health). CONCLUSIONS: The pretreatment SII is an independent predictor of restenosis after interventions in patients with lower extremity ASO, providing more accurate prognosis prediction than other inflammatory markers.

A risk predictor of restenosis after superficial femoral artery stent implantation: relevance of mean platelet volume.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the relationship between an increase in the pre- and post-operative mean platelet volume (MPV) and superficial femoral artery in-stent restenosis (ISR) rate. METHODS AND RESULTS: We recruited patients that underwent superficial femoral artery stenting for lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans at our hospital from March 2015 to March 2018. All patients gave venous blood three days before and following implantation. Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography were used for regular follow-up examination. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of ISR after superficial femoral artery stenting. We enrolled 173 patients, of which 34 (19.6%) were determined as having ISR for a mean of 8.9 ± 2.7 months (3-12 months). Neutrophil count, neutrophil ratio, lymphocyte ratio and platelet count pre-implantation, and platelet count and MPV after stent implantation, and the pre- and post-operative mean platelet volume difference (MPVD) and mean platelet volume difference ratio (MPVDR) were all statistically different when comparing the ISR and non-restenosis groups (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found for post-operative MPV and presence of ISR (r = 0.58; P < 0.001). A MPVD not less than 1.5 fL was associated with an odds ratio of 9.17 (95% CI [3.76 to 22.35]; P < 0.001) for presence of ISR. A MPVDR of not less than 17.9% was associated with an odds ratio of 7.68 (95% CI [3.19 to 18.49]; P < 0.001) for occurrence of ISR. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in pre- and post-operative MPV was correlated with the occurrence of superficial femoral artery ISR.

The relationship between neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and in-stent restenosis in superficial femoral artery.

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between an increase in the pre- and post-operative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and superficial femoral artery in-stent restenosis (ISR) rate. We recruited 199 patients that underwent superficial femoral artery stenting for lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans at our hospital from March 2015 to July 2018. Patients were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of ISR within 1 year (group 1, ISR and group 2, Non-ISR). The after NLR (NLRafter) and NLR change ratio (NLRratio) (P<0.001) were significantly higher in group 1. A NLRafter > 4.3 was associated with an odds ratio of 1.946 (95% CI [1.51-2.50]; P<0.001) for the presence of ISR. A NLRratio > 37.5% was associated with an odds ratio of 3.6 (95% CI [2.03-6.36]; P<0.001) for occurrence of ISR. A NLRafter level > 4.3 had 75% sensitivity and 76% specificity for the prediction of ISR, as identified by the ROC curve. A NLRratio level > 37.5% predicted ISR with 77% sensitivity and 60% specificity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that NLRratio was the strongest independent predictor of ISR (P<0.001). In conclusions, NLRratio could be used as a prognostic marker in superficial femoral artery stents.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio Predict Severity and Prognosis of Lower Limb Arteriosclerosis Obliterans.

BACKGROUND: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are 2 markers of inflammation, which are associated with worse cardiovascular disease outcomes. Here, we aimed to determine the association between these ratios and disease severity and evaluate predictive validity of the NLR and PLR in lower limb arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). METHODS: We evaluated 211 patients with a diagnosis of ASO from January 2016 to December 2018 at Shanghai Jiaotong University Renji Hospital. The NLR and PLR were accessed from routinely drawn peripheral venous blood at the ward of vascular surgery during hospitalization. The association between the NLR and PLR with baseline characteristics, disease severity, and one-year outcomes were determined, respectively. RESULTS: Both the NLR and PLR showed significant values on predicting disease severity. A higher NLR (P = 0.001) and PLR (P < 0.001) were associated with lower ankle-brachial index and worse clinical presentation. Both the NLR and PLR are positively correlated with one-year readmission rate (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, respectively). Both the NLR and PLR also positively correlated with the tissue loss rate and one-year mortality (P = 0.007, P = 0.034, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The NLR and PLR show a positive association with the severity of lower extremity peripheral artery disease, both higher ratios correlate with poor prognosis, especially, the risk of one-year readmission. A higher NLR also correlates with one-year mortality.

The Association of Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index and Ankle-Brachial Index with Macroangiopathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

AIMS: This study elucidates the association of macroangiopathy development in type 2 diabetes patients with various arteriosclerosis risk factors (ARFs) and results of cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI). METHODS: The correlation between current and past macroangiopathy development, with ARFs or CAVI/ABI data, was retrospectively analyzed using multivariate logistic regression in 816 patients with type 2 diabetes at a single center. C-statistics combining some independent variables selected using the stepwise method were evaluated. RESULTS: CAVI was significantly correlated with macroangiopathies, including coronary artery disease (CAD), arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO), and stroke with odds ratios (OR) of 1.20, 1.22, and 1.19, respectively. ABI significantly correlated with ASO and stroke with respective OR of 13.6 and 2.47, but not with CAD. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) revealed the accuracy of detecting ASO and stroke was increased by the combination of CAVI＋ABI (0.94 and 0.74, respectively). However, areas under the ROC for the presence of CAD can be increased by the combination of CAVI and ARFs especially including dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: CAVI/ABI and some ARFs are useful tools in daily clinical care units to identify the current and past existence of macroangiopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes, but the prediction weights using these factors were different among CAD, ASO, and stroke.

Effects of sarpogrelate, eicosapentaenoic acid and pitavastatin on arterioslcerosis obliterans-related biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes (SAREPITASO study).

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the significance of arteriosclerosis obliterans-related biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to compare the effects of sarpogrelate, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and pitavastatin on these markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-two arteriosclerosis obliterans patients with T2DM were classified into two groups, pitavastatin with either sarpogrelate (PS) or EPA (PE). We observed no differences in all biomarkers between the PS and PE groups before treatments. RESULTS: The levels of body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, soluble E-selectin, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and platelet-derived microparticle in the PE group decreased significantly after treatment. The ankle branchial pressure index and adiponectin levels significantly increased in the PE group after treatment compared with the PS group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that combination therapy using pitavastatin and EPA possesses an antiatherosclerotic effect and may be beneficial for prevention of vascular complications in patients with T2DM.

Cilostazol Improves Wound Healing in Patients Undergoing Open Bypass for Ischemic Tissue Loss: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Few reports have described the effects of medication on the wound healing of ischemic ulcers after revascularization. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cilostazol on wound healing in patients who underwent infrainguinal bypass for ischemic tissue loss. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-three limbs undergoing de novo infrainguinal bypass for tissue loss from January 2004 to December 2015 were divided into 2 groups based on whether or not cilostazol was administered after surgery. The end point was wound healing. The 1-year outcomes of the groups were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a propensity score matching analysis was performed to examine the effects of cilostazol on wound healing. In addition, the significant predictors were determined using a Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-one and 202 limbs were included in the cilostazol and non-cilostazol group, respectively. The cilostazol group showed superior wound healing to the non-cilostazol group (cilostazol versus non-cilostazol, 1-year wound healing rate: 92% vs. 81%; median wound healing time: 45 vs. 78 days, P = 0.002). The results of the cilostazol group remained superior after a propensity score matching (cilostazol versus non-cilostazol, 1-year wound healing rate: 95% vs. 83%; median wound healing time: 45.5 vs. 57 days, P = 0.048). A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis indicated that foot infection, Rutherford classification, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, angiosome, the administration of cilostazol, and graft patency were significant factors that influenced wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative use of cilostazol help to promote wound healing after open surgery.

[Lower-extremity artery disease (LEAD)]. / L'artériopathie oblitérante des membres inférieurs chez la femme.

Women have a risk of LEAD (lower-extremity artery disease)similar to men's risk. Symptoms are often absent, atypical or underestimated, leading to diagnosis in the most severe stages. Medical care is often less well adapted. In cases of revascularization, women have a higher morbidity rate than men, regardless of the severity grade and procedure chosen.

Evaluation of paramalleolar and inframalleolar bypasses in dialysis- and nondialysis-dependent patients with critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the efficacy of paramalleolar or inframalleolar bypass (PIMB) in hemodialysis-dependent (HD) patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) and nonhemodialysis-dependent (NHD) patients in terms of clinical outcomes. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2013, there were 333 consecutive arteriosclerosis obliterans patients with CLI who underwent 401 PIMB procedures for limb salvage (LS). Of the 333 patients, 188 (56.5%) were HD patients. Vein grafts were exclusively used, and 172 paramalleolar and 229 inframalleolar bypasses were performed. Five-year primary and secondary cumulative graft patency, LS, and amputation-free survival (AFS) rates were compared between the two groups, and the independent determinants of these outcomes were identified in each group. RESULTS: The 5-year primary and secondary cumulative graft patency rates were 53% and 82% in HD patients and 69% and 92% in NHD patients (primary cumulative graft patency, P < .05; secondary cumulative graft patency, nonsignificant), respectively. The LS rates were 87% and 99% (P < .01) in HD patients and NHD patients, respectively. Overall, 48% and 70% of HD and NHD patients were ambulatory before PIMB (P < .01), and 73% and 85% of HD and NHD patients were ambulatory 12 months after PIMB (including 1-year survivors; nonsignificant), respectively, demonstrating drastic post-PIMB improvement in HD patients. The 5-year AFS rates in the HD and NHD groups were 27% and 69% (P < .01), respectively, demonstrating very poor AFS rates in HD patients. In HD patients, factors negatively associated with AFS were female gender (hazard ratio [HR], 2.102; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.254-3.524), history of congestive heart failure (HR, 2.075; 95% CI, 1.395-3.085), and preoperative nonambulatory status (HR, 1.974; 95% CI, 1.305-2.986), whereas older age (HR, 2.601; 95% CI, 1.372-4.931) and history of congestive heart failure (HR, 2.928; 95% CI, 1.496-5.731) were identified as independent factors negatively associated with AFS in NHD patients. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PIMB for CLI was associated with excellent LS rates in both HD and NHD patients with low operative mortality and complications. However, the AFS rate observed in HD patients was significantly lower than that observed in NHD patients, indicating the necessity of a specific management program to improve AFS after LS in HD patients.

[Endovascular surgery for critical ischemia of lower extremities with suppurative-necrotic lesion of the feet]. / Rentgenoéndovaskuliarnaia khirurgiia pri kriticheskoi ishemii nizhnikh konechnostei s gnoino-nekroticheskim porazheniem stop.

AIM: To improve treatment of patients with grade IV chronic ischemia of lower extremities via endovascular angioplasty combined with surgical methods for suppurative-necrotic lesions of the feet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 51 patients with grade IV chronic ischemia of lower extremities underwent endovascular interventions (balloon angioplasty, stenting). A total of 23 stents were deployed in 16 patients including 12 stents in superficial and common femoral arteries, 5 in popliteal artery, 6 in iliac artery. There were no stents in crural arteries. The most perspective artery for wound healing was preferred in case of revascularization below popliteal segment. Necrectomy was performed along with angioplasty in patients with suppurative-necrotic lesion of the feet followed by delayed reconstructive operations if it was necessary. RESULTS: Endovascular surgery for grade IV chronic ischemia of lower extremities was associated with good immediate results in most cases due to revascularization and organ-sparing interventions for suppurative lesions of the feet. Current endovascular methods allow to perform successful re-operations to restore blood flow in previously repaired arteries and implanted stents with restenosis or thrombosis.

Successful Endovascular Treatment of Aortoiliac Bifurcation Stenosis Using an Empirically Based T and Protrude-Stenting with Self- and Balloon-Expandable Stents.

A 73-year-old woman with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) was underwent a crossover stenting for an aortoiliac bifurcation from the right common iliac artery (CIA) with a self-expandable bare-metal stent (SE-BMS); however, a new stenosis later occurred just behind the bifurcation of the left CIA. An ex vivo experiment demonstrated that culotte-stenting by additional implantation of a balloon-expandable bare-metal stent (BE-BMS) through stent struts of the SE-BMS would be empirically infeasible. Although we had initially planned a T-stenting for the additional implantation of a BE-BMS in the left CIA, we finally deployed the stent in the CIA with the proximal end protruding into the previously-implanted SE-BMS through the stent struts to avoid incomplete coverage of the stenosis by reference to the ex vivo experiments. The patient has had no recurrence for 36 months.

[АRTERIAL PRESSURE ON THE FIRST TOE AS A PROGNOSIS CRITERION OF THE COMPLICATION OCCURRENCE IN THE DIABETIC FOOT SYNDROME ON BACKGROUND OF MENKEBERG'S SCLEROSIS].

In the patients, suffering diabetes mellitus type ІІ, treated in 2015 - 2016 yrs for complicated diabetic foot syndrome, a systolic arterial pressure (SAP) on level of the first toe was determined, and roentgenography of the foot in two projections done. The SAP value from 120 to 200 mm Hg and higher have had witness the presence of Menkeberg?s sclerosis stages III - V. Prognostically favorable is a SAP value of 80 mm Hg and higher, and unfavorable data ­ the SAP value lowering lesser than 80 mm Hg. The SAP value lower than 30 mm Hg have had witness the vessel obliteration and thrombosis occurrence.

[Use of drug-free methods of treatment in comprehensive therapy of patients with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia].

Analysed herein are the results of treating a total of 139 patients presenting with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia. The patients were subdivided into three groups, depending on the variant of treatment performed. Group One patients (n=57) received standard conservative therapy combined with ozone therapy, with the Group being further subdivided into two subgroups: patients of subgroup 1a (n=28) were subjected to intravenous administration of ozonated physiological solution (OPS), subgroup 1b patients (n=29) were given big autohemoozonetherapy (BAT). Group Two patients (n=62) underwent complex treatment including beside medical ozone gravitation therapy (GT). Group Two patients were also subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup 2a patients (n=31) received standard conservative therapy combined with OPS and GT, subgroup 2b patients (n=31) received standard conservative therapy in combination with BAT and GT. Group Three (Control Group) was composed of 20 patients receiving standard conservative therapy alone. The highest efficacy was observed in the subgroup of patients receiving OPS and GT, with the patients of this subgroup showing a statistically significant increase in the pain-free walking distance by 116.5% and in the ankle-brachial index by 49.2%, also demonstrating the most pronounced positive dynamics of lipid metabolism parameters: a decrease in total cholesterol by 21.3%, low density lipoproteins by 25.4%, very low density lipoproteins by 24.2% and triglycerides by 18.5%. Besides, a tendency was observed towards normalization of the haemostasis system indices: fibrinogen decreased by 21.8%, prothrombin index by 13%, fibrin monomer complexes retraction by 18.2%, and the clotting time increased by 20.7%. Hence, combined use of ozonated physiological solution and gravitation therapy in treatment of patients with stage II chronic lower limb ischaemia promotes a considerable increase in the pain-free walking distance and ankle-brachial index, as well as contributes to correction of lipid metabolic disorders and haemocoagulation.

[Dynamics of the emotional state of patients with atherosclerosis of lower limb arteries undergoing surgical treatment].

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed at determining the dynamics of the emotional state and factors influencing thereupon in patients presenting with atherosclerosis of lower limb arteries and undergoing surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included a total of sixty-five 36-to-90-year-old patients (53 men and 12 women) subjected to examination twice - prior to surgery and before discharge by means of semi-structured interview, self-assessment scale of feeling and mood, methods "Integrative test of anxiety" and "Type of attitude towards the disease" (TOBOL), questionnaire for assessing health-related quality of life SF-36 and Krantz questionnaire in order to determine the position in the therapeutic process. RESULTS: After surgery (on postoperative day 7-10 of hospital stay) the patients demonstrated a decrease in the degree of anxiety and somatic complaints. Women (p=0.037), patients with the duration of the disease from 1 to 8 years (p=0.033), with signs of personality anxiety (p≤0.045), disadaptive variants of attitude to disease and treatment (p≤0.05), as well as clearly manifesting mistrust for medical recommendations (p=0.014) belong to a group of risk of emotional stress at the postoperative stage. CONCLUSION: Clinical and socio-demographic determinants are comparatively less important in formation of pronounced anxiety of postoperative period than the patient's personality.

Lower limb ischaemia in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and gangrene: recognition, anatomic patterns and revascularization strategies.

The confluence of several chronic conditions--in particular ageing, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease--has created a global wave of lower limbs at risk for major amputation. While frequently asymptomatic or not lifestyle limiting, at least 1% of the population has peripheral artery disease of sufficient severity to be limb threatening. To avoid the critical error of failing to diagnose ischaemia, all patients with diabetic foot ulcers and gangrene should routinely undergo physiologic evaluation of foot perfusion. Ankle brachial index is useful when measurable, but may be falsely elevated or not obtainable in as many as 30% of patients with diabetic foot ulcers primarily because of medial calcinosis. Toe pressures and skin perfusion pressures are applicable to such patients.

Altered Plasma MicroRNAs as Novel Biomarkers for Arteriosclerosis Obliterans.

AIM: Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) of the lower extremities is a major cause of adult limb loss worldwide. A timely diagnosis in the early stages of the disease determines the clinical outcomes, however lacking of palpable symptoms remains the biggest obstacle. This study aimed to screen a cluster of microRNAs (miRNAs) that can be used as biomarker for the ASO in the earlier stages. METHODS: Plasma from 3 patients with ASO and 3 healthy controls were profiled to screen altered miRNAs by microarray, then Real time PCR was further used to confirm the changes in 55 ASO patients and 54 controls.We also analyzed the correlation of miRNAs level with Fontaine stages and the influence of T2DM which is a common complication with ASO on the level of miRNAs. RESULT: Twenty-four aberrantly expressed miRNAs were screened in the plasma of ASO patients. Real time PCR verified that the level of miR-4284 was significantly increased, while levels of miR-4463, miR-4306 and miR-221-3p were significantly decreased both in the plasma and in the sclerotic samples compared with the controls. Interestingly, we revealed a time and stage specific expression manner, as shown that expression of miR-4284 increased at the stage I of ASO and maintained the tendency to stage IV, while miR-4463 expression decreased at every stage of ASO; however, the expression of miR-4463 showed opposite changes in ASO patients with or without T2DM. CONCLUSION: Altered expressions of miR-4284 and miR-4463 are novel characteristics and may serve as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ASO.

[Organizational aspects of managing patients with atherosclerosis obliterans of lower-limb vessels at an ambulatory stage].

The authors describe their first experience of a new approach in dispensary follow up of patients presenting with atherosclerosis obliterans of lower-extremities vessels. The work was based on the municipal system of rendering outpatient medical care in the city of Kemerovo. The patients were subdivided into two groups: one group remained under supervision of the surgeon, the other one was referred to the cardiologist. The mean duration of follow up amounted to 12 ± 1.5 months. The scope of carried out diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive procedures was assessed. The new approach to outpatient follow up, i. e., participation of the cardiologist in the therapeutic process made it possible to improve quality of medical care, also revealing positive alterations in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of atherosclerosis obliterans of lower-limb vessels.