Vascular procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic in a high volume Eastern European interventional radiology department •

AimTo assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on trends in hospital admissions and number of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the largest tertiary vascular center in Hungary.Patients and MethodsA retrospective analysis was carried out. The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic occurred approximately from March 15 until June 1 in Hungary. We have compared the same period of 2020 to 2019. Electronic medical records were reviewed for the clinical status of the patients and treatment-related information.ResultsThe total number of diagnostic angiographies and therapeutic interventions in 2020 (N=233) decreased significantly (P=0.046) compared to 2019 (N=373). The ratio of Fontaine stage I–II cases to Fontaine stage III–IV cases for both diagnostic angiographies and therapeutic interventions was significantly lower (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.26–3.59; P=0.007 and OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.67–6.52; P<0.001) in 2020 (0.36 and 0.27) than in 2019 (0.77 and 0.89). There was also a negative but not significant change in the number of supra-aortic (including internal carotid artery stenting) (P=0.128) and other vascular therapeutic interventions (superior vena caval stenting, hemodialysis access percutaneous transluminal angioplasty [PTA], visceral artery/vein PTA/stenting, embolization) (P=0.452) in 2020 (N=16 and N=21) compared to 2019 (N=39 and N=37).ConclusionThe first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on the total number of endovascular procedures in the largest tertiary vascular center in Hungary.

Prevalence of visceral artery involvement in patients with peripheral artery disease found on run-off MRA

Background In patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), run-off MR-angiography (MRA) is a commonly performed diagnostic test to obtain high-resolution images for evaluation of the arterial system from the aorta through the distal run-off vessels. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of visceral artery involvement (VAI) in patients with PAD and leg symptoms examined with run-off MRA. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 145 patients (median age 68 years, range 27–91) who underwent MRA due to known or suspected PAD at our institution between 2012 and 2018. MRA examinations were re-evaluated for visceral artery stenosis. Patient dossiers were reviewed to determine cardiovascular risk factors, kidney function and Fontaine stage of PAD. Results Involvement of at least one visceral artery with ≥ 50% diameter stenosis was found in 72 (50%) patients. There were no differences in age, gender, MRA indication, Fontaine stage, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), cardiovascular risk factors or vascular comorbidities between patients with and without VAI. Renal artery (RA) involvement with ≥ 50% diameter stenosis was observed in 28 (20%) of patients. Patients with involvement of the RA were more likely to suffer from hypertension (79 vs. 54%, p = 0.019) and reduced renal function (glomerular filtration rate 70 vs. 88 mL/min/1.73m2, p = 0.014). Conclusion Visceral artery stenosis can be seen in half of patients with known or suspected PAD and leg symptoms on run-off MRA. Investigating for RA stenosis in patients with PAD and hypertension and/or impaired renal function may have high diagnostic yield.

Retinal and choriocapillaris perfusion are associated with ankle-brachial-pressure-index and Fontaine stage in peripheral arterial disease

The purpose of this prospective case–control study was to assess whether parameters of retinal and choriocapillaris perfusion are altered in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients with PAD and healthy controls were imaged with swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Macula centered 3 × 3 mm OCT-A scans were acquired, binarized and perfusion was evaluated for vessel density (VD) and choriocapillaris non-perfused area. Clinical examination and non-invasive assessment included Fontaine staging, ankle-brachial-pressure-index (ABI) and vascular color-coded Doppler sonography. Fifty-two patients with PAD and 23 healthy controls were included. Superficial retinal VD was reduced in patients compared to controls (difference = − 0.013, p = 0.02), decreased with higher Fontaine stage (p = 0.01) and correlated with ABI (r = 0.42, p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–0.58). Choriocapillaris non-perfused area was larger in patients compared to controls (difference = 3.64%, p = 0.002, 95% CI 1.38–5.90%) and significantly correlated with ABI (r = − 0.22, p = 0.03, 95% CI − 0.40– − 0.03). Multivariate multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association of all OCT-A parameters with ABI and of deep retinal vessel density and choriocapillaris non-perfused area with Fontaine stage. In this first study of retinal and choroidal perfusion in patients with PAD we found both retinal and choroidal perfusion to be significantly impaired. OCT-A parameters could aid as indirect imaging biomarkers for non-invasive PAD staging and monitoring.

Multimodal Supervised Exercise Training is Effective in Improving Long Term Walking Performance in Patients with Symptomatic Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a multimodal supervised exercise training (SET) program on walking performance for 12 months in patients with symptomatic lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). Consecutive patients with Fontaine stage II PAD participating in the SET program of our hospital were retrospectively investigated. Walking performance, assessed using a treadmill with measures of the pain-free and maximal walking distance (PFWD, MWD, respectively), and 6 min walking distance (6MWD), were tested before and following SET, as well as at 6 and 12 months after SET completion. Ninety-three symptomatic patients with PAD (65.0 ± 1.1 y) were included in the study. Following SET, the walking performance significantly improved (PFWD: +145%, p ≤ 0.001; MWD: +97%, p ≤ 0.001; 6MWD: +15%, p ≤ 0.001). At 6 months, PFWD (+257%, p ≤ 0.001), MWD (+132%, p ≤ 0.001), and 6MWD (+11%, p ≤ 0.001) remained significantly improved compared with the pre-SET condition. At 12 months, PFWD (+272%, p ≤ 0.001), MWD (+130%, p ≤ 0.001), and 6MWD (+11%, p ≤ 0.001) remained significantly improved compared with the pre-training condition. The walking performance remained significantly improved in both women and men for up to 12 months (p ≤ 0.001). Multimodal SET is effective at improving walking performance in symptomatic patients with PAD, with improvements lasting up to 12 months.

Prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis in Chinese patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease: a cross-sectional study on 653 patients

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the prevalence and identify predictive factors of asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) in Southern Chinese patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).DesignA cross-sectional study.Setting and participantsA total of 653 patients with PAD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from July 2014 to July 2019.Main outcome measuresThe degree of carotid stenosis was assessed by Duplex ultrasound and classified as normal (no stenosis), mild (<50% stenosis), moderate (50%–69% stenosis), severe (≥70% stenosis or near occlusion) and total occlusion. Patients with stenosis ≥50% were classified as having significant ACAS. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the risk associated with concomitant factors of ACAS.ResultsThe mean age was 71.5±5.5 years, and 55.9% of the patients were men. Significant ACAS stenosis accounted for 128 (19.6%) cases, including 68 (10.4%) cases of moderate stenosis (50%–69%), 46 (7.0%) cases of severe stenosis (70%–99%) and 14 (2.1%) cases of total occlusion. Multivariable analysis revealed that age ≥70 years (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.18), an ankle brachial index (ABI) ≤0.5 (OR 3.39, 95% CI 1.34 to 8.55), an ABI ≤0.4 (OR 3.86, 95% CI 1.47 to 10.06) and Fontaine stage IV (OR 4.53, 95% CI 1.47 to 13.88) are predictive factors of significant ACAS.ConclusionThe prevalence of significant ACAS (stenosis ≥50%) in patients with PAD was approximately 19.6%. Significant ACAS was more common in patients with PAD older than 70 years, particularly in patients with an ABI <0.5 and those classified as Fontaine stage IV. Selective carotid screening may be more worthwhile in these high-risk patients with PAD.

Improving Limb Salvage for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia With Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) represents the most severe form of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Up to a third of CLTI patients are not eligible to receive first-line treatments such as bypass surgery or endovascular interventions. Epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been used as a method to improve microcirculatory blood flow and relieve ischemic pain in CTLI patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate limb salvage, ulcer closure, and clinical changes of SCS implanted CTLI patients at 1-year follow-up. Methods: Eligible patients had end-stage lower limb PAD unresponsive to medical therapy and not amenable to surgical reconstruction. Patients were candidates for amputation, but limb loss was not inevitable (Fontaine stage III and IV). Pain intensity and skin temperature in the ischemic area (visual analogue scale), quality of life (WHOQoL-BREF), and ankle/brachial blood pressure index (ABI) were recorded at routine follow-up visits. Data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: 29 patients underwent SCS implantation at one vascular center. The minimum follow-up period was 30 months. Limb survival at 1-year follow-up was 97% (28/29) and 73% (11/15) had complete closure of limb ulcers. Pain intensity, skin temperature, and quality of life progressively improved up to 12 months after implant, with Fontaine stage III patients improving more substantially than Fontaine stage IV patients. SCS therapy did not affect ABI measurement. No complications related to the device or procedure occurred. Conclusions: SCS is a valid alternative in patients unsuitable for revascularization. The quality of results depends on both a strict selection of patients by vascular specialists and the frequency of follow-up controls. The therapy may be more beneficial in patients classified as Fontaine stage III.

P947Combining the ankle-brachial index with novel waveshape-based methods improves peripheral artery disease classification

The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is the most commonly used method for the investigation of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in clinical settings, but has a low sensitivity for detecting PAD in asymptomatic patients. It is calculated only based on the systolic blood pressure in the limbs and ignores the shape of the pressure waves. Therefore, we investigated a novel method focusing on waveform changes by analyzing and comparing synchronous pulse wave recordings of all four extremities. In this study, pulse waves of 44 patients (28M/16F, age 65 (SD 10) years, ABI 0.89 (SD 0.13)) measured at rest on all four limbs simultaneously using the AngE Pro 4 system (Sonotechnik Austria Angio Experience GmbH, Austria) were investigated. The patients Fontaine stage was used as a benchmark. A novel parameter based on pairwise wave shape differences, i.e., the root mean square of the differences (RMSD), was tested for its capability to correctly classify the patients Fontaine stage. Furthermore, the results were compared and combined with ABI measurements. Of the 44 patients, 7 were in Fontaine stage 0 (no PAD) and 37 in stage 2 (claudication). In univariate analysis, ABI showed significant discrimination power (AUC ROC = 0.86, p<0.01), but was surpassed by the RMSD with a discrimination power beyond ABI (AUC ROC = 0.95, p<0.001, see figure). Furthermore, logistic regression revealed statistical independence of ABI and RMSD, indicating that they reflect different aspects of the measurements. Therefore, combining these two measures, multivariate classification results in a far superior classifier (AUC ROC = 0.98, p<0.001, see figure). In this study, the novel waveshape-based method RMSD, used to classify stages of PAD, showed better discrimination power than ABI. Furthermore, statistical independence allowed for the combination of ABI and RMSD, resulting in a far superior classification of PAD Fontaine stages. Since, using the appropriate equipment, both parameters can be measured simultaneously and in an automated way, the results are promising for assisting PAD classification in the future. Acknowledgement/Funding This work was partly supported by the program “Bridge” by the Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology BMVIT. PWA4PAD FFG No. 858509