[Lower Limb Amputations in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease and/or Diabetes in Iceland 2010-2019; revascularisation, comorbidities and risk factors].

INTRODUCTION: No recent studies exist on lower extremity amputations (LLAs) in Iceland. The aim of this study was to investigate LLA incidence in Iceland 2010-2019 and preceding procedures in amputations induced by peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study on clinical records of all patients (>18 years) who underwent LLA in Iceland's two main hospitals during 2010-2019. Patients were excluded if LLA was performed for reasons other than DM and/or PAD. Symptoms, medication and circulation assessment were recorded from first hospital visit due to symptoms, and prior to the last LLA, respectively. Previous arterial surgeries and amputations were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 167 patients underwent LLA. Thereof, 134 (77 ± 11 years, 93 men and 41 woman) due to DM and/or PAD. The LLA-rate due to those diseases increased from 4.1/100,000 inhabitants in 2010-2013 to 6.7/100,000 in 2016-2019 (p=0,04). Risk factors were mainly hypertension, 84%, and smoking, 69%. Chronic limb-threatening ischemia induced 71% of first hospital visits. Revascularisations were performed (66% endovascular) in 101 patients. Non-diabetic patients were 52% and had statins less frequently prescribed than DM patients (26:45, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: DM and/or PAD are the leading causes of LLA in Iceland. Amputation rate increased during the period but is low in an international context. Amputation is most often preceded by arterial surgery. DM is present in almost half of cases, similar or less than in most other countries. Opportunities for improved prevention should aim on earlier diagnosis and preventive treatment of non-diabetic individuals with PAD.

Carotid artery endarterectomy solely based on duplex scan findings.

The purpose of this study was to review experience with carotid artery surgery based on findings obtained solely from duplex scanning with special regard to unexpected findings during surgery and the early outcome. From January 1993 through December 1999, 271 consecutive patients underwent 287 carotid endarterectomies (CEAs), 229 (80%) of which were performed solely based on duplex scan findings. During the study period 5,932 carotid artery duplex scans were performed in 4,466 patients. Of 589 patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis 70%, 246 underwent CEA compared to 25 of 156 with 50-69% ICA stenosis. The indications for CEA were transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 88 (30.7%), amaurosis fugax in 60 (20.9%), previous stroke in 91 (31.7%) and asymptomatic disease in 48 (16.7%) cases. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups operated on with and without preoperative angiography with respect to the indications for surgery, associated risk factors, or the degree of stenosis on the contralateral side. In patients undergoing surgery without angiography, there were no unexpected findings that influenced the performance of surgery, in all except 1. There were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgery with and without conventional angiography. The combined mortality and major stroke rates were 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. It is concluded that CEA can safely be performed without preoperative angiography in cases with conclusive duplex scan findings.

The impact of different spectral Doppler criteria on the proportion of high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis in patients undergoing duplex scanning.

AIM: To investigate the impact of different spectral Doppler criteria on the proportion of high-grade ICA stenosis in patients undergoing carotid artery duplex scanning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Duplex scans of 4,548 internal carotid arteries (ICA) in 2,349 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The following different criteria were applied for each scan for definition of ICA stenosis > or = 70%: Criteria I=ICA peak systolic velocity (PSV) > 130 cm/sec and ICA end-diastolic (EDV) > 100 cm/sec, Criteria II=PSV ICA/common carotid artery (CCA) ratio > 4, Criteria III=ICA PSV > or = 230 cm/sec, Criteria IV=ICA PSV > 230 cm/sec and/or ICA EDV > or = 100 cm/sec and/or PSV ICA/CCA ratio > or = 3.2. RESULTS: The frequency of detecting a > or = 70% ICA stenosis with criteria I, II, III, and IV were 5.5%, 6.8%, 8.4%, and 9.6%, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of various duplex criteria significantly affected the number of scans receiving a diagnosis of ICA stenosis of > or = 70%.

Percutaneous thrombin injection of common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm without cerebral protection.

An 83-year-old man with sepsis sustained right common carotid artery injury during attempted central-line placement. A computed tomographic scan showed a large hematoma in the patient's neck and a carotid pseudoaneurysm. His clinical condition was such that transfer to the interventional suite was judged unsafe. Percutaneous thrombin injection was performed at the bedside under ultrasonographic guidance, but without protective temporary balloon occlusion. The procedure was successful, with no neurologic complications. At follow-up ultrasonographic evaluation, there was complete and sustained occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm.Emergent percutaneous treatment of common carotid artery pseudoaneurysm can be performed without temporary balloon occlusion for cerebral protection-in extreme circumstances, and at unknown risk.

[The correlation between toe- and ankle pressure, clinical symptoms and angiography in patients with leg ischemia]. / Samanburethur á táar-handleggs-hlutfalli (THH) og ökkla-handleggs-hlutfalli (OHH) vieth mat á alvarleika blóeththornurrethar í ganglim.

OBJECTIVE: The severity of leg ischemia is usually evaluated by measuring ankle pressure. This is a simple measurement but can be misleading in patients with severe sclerosis in ankle arteries in which case toe pressure is believed to be more reliable. The purpose of this study was to compare toe pressure with ankle pressure, clinical symptoms and angiography and thus evaluate the usefulness of toe pressure in the assessment of leg ischemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total of 58 legs from 30 patients that came to Landspítali University Hospital because of leg ischemia we measured toe- and ankle pressure and assessed the clinical stage of leg ischemia. All patients also had an angiography of their leg arteries. RESULTS: There was a correlation between pressure measurements and the clinical stage of leg ischemia and also between pressure measurements and results from angiography of leg arteries. There was not a significant difference between the correlation for toe- and ankle pressure respectively. In two cases it was impossible to measure ankle pressure but in both cases it was possible to measure toe pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Toe- and ankle pressure measurements are equally useful in the evaluation of leg ischemia. Ankle pressure is a more simple measurement than toe pressure but can be impossible to perform when the ankle arteries are very sclerotic. When that is the case toe pressure can often be measured instead.

Surgical reconstruction without preoperative angiography in patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of performing surgical reconstructions in patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease with findings obtained solely from duplex scanning. Between January 1995 through December 1999, among 112 patients who underwent surgical intervention due to aortoiliac occlusive disease, 44 were operated on with findings obtained solely from preoperative duplex scanning. Deviations from preoperatively planned surgical interventions according to duplex scan findings and the outcome were analyzed. Our results showed that surgical reconstructions for treatment of aortoiliac occlusive disease can be safely performed by using duplex scanning as the sole preoperative diagnostic modality in patients with conclusive duplex scan findings.