Sex-related differences in outcome after endovascular revascularization for lower extremity artery disease

Summary: Background: Sex-related differences may influence the outcome of endovascular revascularization (EVR) in patients with lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD) even under optimized healthcare supply. Patients and methods: LEAD patients who underwent EVR at the Department of Cardiology I – Coronary and Peripheral Vascular Disease, Heart Failure, University Hospital Muenster, Germany between 2014 and 2016 were included into the retrospective study. Detailed information on risk factors and co-morbidities, medication, LEAD related measures, and interventional parameters were assessed. Outcome defined as technical success rate, complications, and mortality was analyzed up to 12 months follow-up. Results: In total, 165 female and 437 male LEAD patients were included. Women and men presented with comparable severity of LEAD in terms of critical limb threatening ischemia (46.2%), wound status (34.9%), and amputation rate (9.6%, all n.s.) at index. Intake of platelet inhibitors (65.8% female vs. 70.0% male), oral anticoagulants (21.3% vs. 25.4%), and statins (65.6% vs. 76.0%) was observed less frequently in female patients. Against the background of high technical success (85%), in-hospital death (0.8%), severe adverse cardiac (MCE; 1.7%), and limb events (MALE; 6.1%) occurred at low rates in either sex. Adjusted long-term mortality was not affected by patients’ sex (female HR 0.755; p=0.312). Conclusions: Despite critical LEAD stages in every second patient, EVR was performed safe with high technical success rates in female and male patients. Long-term outcomes were observed at comparatively low rates in both sexes at the specialized vascular center. During aftercare, supply with statin therapy turned out improvable particularly in female LEAD patients.

2D perfusion angiography as quantitative method to evaluate iloprost effect on foot circulation

Summary: Background: Two-dimensional (2D) perfusion angiography is useful for the evaluation of foot perfusion in patients with critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Iloprost is a synthetic prostacyclin analogue presenting vasodilating properties. Aim of this study was to demonstrate the utility of 2D perfusion angiography as quantitative method to evaluate iloprost effect on foot circulation. Patients and methods: Between January 2020 and June 2020 25 patients with CLTI underwent below-the-knee (BTK) endovascular revascularization, intra-arterial administration of iloprost, and assessment of foot perfusion by 2D perfusion angiography. Iloprost was administered as an intra-arterial bolus of 3 μg over 1–3 minutes immediately after BTK revascularization. The 2D perfusion angiography was performed in a standardized manner with a 5-F catheter placed into the popliteal artery. A wide region of interest (ROI) was identified to assess the foot perfusion. Time–density curves were calculated by the perfusion software. Changes of the overall time-density curves before and after the administration of iloprost were evaluated. Results: Endovascular revascularization was successful in all cases. The mean reduction of systolic pressure value after iloprost administration was 23.1 mmHg. Eight patients (32%) experienced a minor complication (6 cutaneous rush, 2 symptomatic hypotension >40 mmHg). In 20 patients the time-density curves under ROI increased after the intra-arterial administration of iloprost (+31.6%, range from +4.9% to +78.7%). Five patients had no modification or a slight decrease of foot perfusion after iloprost administration (non-responders patients). Conclusions: Patients undergoing intra-arterial administration of iloprost accounted for a not negligible rate of minor complications. 2D perfusion angiography was valuable as quantitative method to evaluate the iloprost effect on foot circulation. This technique could be useful to classify the patients in responders or non-responders to iloprost therapy.

Differences Between Patients With Intermittent Claudication and Critical Limb Ischemia Undergoing Endovascular Intervention: Insights From the Excellence in Peripheral Artery Disease Registry

Background: There are limited data on differences in angiographic distribution of peripheral artery disease and endovascular revascularization strategies in patients presenting with intermittent claudication (IC) and critical limb ischemia (CLI). We aimed to compare anatomic features, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes between patients with IC and CLI undergoing endovascular revascularization. Methods: We examined 3326 patients enrolled in the Excellence in Peripheral Artery Disease registry from 2006 to 2019 who were referred for endovascular intervention for IC (n=1983) or CLI (n=1343). The primary outcome was 1-year major adverse limb events, which included death, repeat target limb revascularization, or target limb amputation. Results: Patients with CLI were older and more likely to have diabetes and chronic kidney disease and less likely to receive optimal medical therapy compared with IC. Patients with IC had higher femoropopliteal artery interventions (IC 87% versus CLI 65%; P <0.001), while below the knee interventions were more frequent in CLI (CLI 47% versus IC 12%; P <0.001). Patients with CLI were more likely to have multilevel peripheral artery disease (CLI 32% versus IC 15%, P <0.001). Patients with IC were predominantly revascularized with stents (IC 48% versus CLI 37%; P <0.001) while balloon angioplasty was more frequent in CLI (CLI 37% versus IC 25%; P <0.001). All-cause mortality was higher in patients with CLI (CLI 4% versus IC 2%; P =0.014). Major adverse limb event rates for patients with IC and CLI were 16% and 26%, respectively ( P <0.001) and remained higher in CLI after multivariable adjustment of baseline risk factors. Conclusions: Patients with IC and CLI have significant anatomic, lesion, and treatment differences with significantly higher mortality and adverse limb outcomes in CLI. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01904851.

A feasible alternative to transfemoral artery access for endovascular revascularization in acute ischemic stroke in cases with difficult vessel anatomy

Endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke is usually performed via a transfemoral approach. Catheterization can be problematic in cases with difficult anatomy: unfavorable arch type, vessel tortuosity and ostial stenosis, aorta coarc‑ tation, iliac artery occlusion. The aim of this review is to describe the place of another arterial approach in the manage‑ ment in acute ischemic stroke: direct common carotid