Clinical Clues for the Current Diagnosis of Acute Lower Limb Ischemia: A Contemporary Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) is a limb and life-threatening condition whose treatment largely depends on the underlying cause. The clinical distinction between the main causes may have changed over the years because of changes in the epidemiology of this syndrome. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical pattern associated with the main causes of ALI in a contemporary series of cases. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive ALI cases admitted to a tertiary hospital between 2007 and 2019. ALI secondary to other conditions than embolism or NAT were excluded. The association between clinical variables and the ALI cause was assessed with multiple logistic regressions and the discriminative power of the resulting clinical predictive scores with the area under the ROC curve. RESULTS: The study group included 243 patients (mean age 77.2 years; 52.7% male), of which 140 (57.6%) were caused by an arterial embolism and 103 (42.4%) by a NAT. Among these latter, 78 (75.7%) were related to an atherosclerotic NAT and 25 (24.3%) to a complicated popliteal aneurysm. Independent risk factors associated with embolism included atrial fibrillation (OR 10.26, 95% CI 5.1 - 20.67) or female gender (OR 5.44, 95% CI 2.76 - 10.71), but not the severity of the episode or the presence of contralateral pulses. Those related to a NAT included a previous symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.35 - 5.35) and seeking consultation more than 24 hours after the beginning of symptoms (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.32 - 5), but not a higher rate of other vascular risk factors. Among patients with NAT, previous intermittent claudication (OR 8.34, 95% CI 2.42 - 28.72) and >24 hs delay of arrival of the patient (OR 4.78, 95% CI 1.48 - 15.43) were more frequent among those related to an atherosclerotic NAT, whereas higher hemoglobin levels (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.21 - 2.11) and non-significantly the history of tobacco smoking (OR 2.95, 95% CI 0.84 - 10.36) among those with a popliteal aneurysm-related NAT. The discriminative power of the two clinical models resulting from these predictive variables for differentiating embolism from NAT and atherosclerosis-related NAT from popliteal aneurysm-related NAT was excellent (0.86 and 0.85, respectively). CONCLUSION: Certain clinical features appear to be no longer useful in the distinction between embolism and NAT, while others may help in the differential diagnosis between atherosclerotic and popliteal aneurysm-related NAT. Surgeons must be aware of possible changes in the presentation of ALI because time constraints are frequent and clinical data remain essential.

Influence of Operative Time in the Results of Infrainguinal Bypass for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: An increased operative time (OT) has been associated with a higher rate of adverse outcomes after several surgical procedures although scarce evidence exists for infrainguinal bypass surgery (IBS) and its impact beyond the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to define surgical characteristics related to a prolonged OT in IBS for chronic limb threatening ischemia and its influence on postoperative and 1-year outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 249 consecutive patients (mean age 72.4 years, 73.1% male) undergoing IBS for CLI between 2008 and 2018. The characteristics related to the duration of surgery and its impact on outcome were assessed with a multiple linear regression and a multivariate logistic regression, respectively. RESULTS: Interventions associated with a prolonged OT included the bypass to a below-the-knee artery (additional 36 min, p = 0.002), the need for an alternative vein or a hybrid PTFE-vein graft (additional 37 min, p = 0.02) and inflow associated procedures (additional 47 min, p < 0.001). OT was associated with a higher rate of postoperative complications (OR for each additional 30 min 1.123, 95% CI 1.021-1.234) and need for a sociosanitary facility at discharge (OR 1.143, 95% CI 1.033-1.265). At 1-year of follow-up, OT was related to a higher major amputation rate (OR 1.201, 95% CI 1.036-1.393) and non-significantly to mortality (OR 1.125, 95% CI 0.999-1.268). CONCLUSIONS: A prolonged OT is a risk factor for adverse outcomes after IBS that extends beyond the immediate postoperative period. Further research is needed to evaluate how an expected high OT might influence decision-making.

Changing trends in inferior vena cava filter indication for venous thromboembolism over the last two decades: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate changes in the incidence, patients' profile and indications of inferior vena cava filters at a single center over the past two decades. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 187 consecutive patients with a venous thromboembolism requiring a filter at a tertiary hospital between 1999-2018. Within this period the availability of retrievable filters (since 2007) and the withdrawal of filter indication for recurrent venous thromboembolism from guidelines (since 2008) may have contributed to change practice patterns. Patients' profile, filter indication and survival were compared between decades (1999-2008 vs. 2009-2018). RESULTS: The filter insertion rate doubled (60 vs. 127 cases) over 2009-2018. In this later period there was an unexpected rise (15 vs. 68 cases, P<0.001) of patients with isolated pulmonary embolism as baseline venous thromboembolism episode, without other relevant changes in patients' profile or survival. Regarding indications, there was an increase in filters for bleeding risk (23 vs. 45) and a reduction for venous thromboembolism recurrence (20 vs. 7), but also an unexpected increase of cases for bleeding (15 vs. 72). Among the 116 retrievable filters indicated for a temporary cause, 70 (60.3%) were finally not removed, being persistence of filter indication (n=33, 47.1%) the most common cause. CONCLUSIONS: The number of filters inserted at our institution has raised over the last two decades. This increase was partly unexpected and perhaps related to the availability of retrievable filters. Unfortunately these devices remain frequently non-removed being persistence of the indication the most frequent cause.