Intensive Rehabilitation Program in Arterial Occlusive Disease Patients

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) limits walking efficiency and distance. The main disabling symptom is vasculopathy that leads to claudicatio intermittens and limits walking efficiency. Stretching techniques are effective in treatments for retractions and are used to improve flexibility of triceps surae and range of motion of the ankle. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a combined walking and stretching program on walking efficiency in elderly PAOD patients. Seventy patients with PAOD stage II of the Leriche–Fontaine classification were randomly assigned into a stretching group (SG) or conditioning group (CG). Both groups participated in an eleven-day intensive rehabilitation program based on walking and strength training, while the SG performed five extra sessions of stretching. Walking autonomy was assessed through treadmill and overground tests with the recording of initial and absolute pain. A univariate ANOVA analysis was applied for the differences between the initial and final outcomes. Walking autonomy improved in both groups (p < 0.01), while only the SG improved flexibility (from −14.0 ± 8.1 to −10.3 ± 8.3 cm; p < 0.01). An intensive eleven-day rehabilitation program based on walking, strength, and stretching exercises is effective to improve the onset and the delay of pain during walking in patients with PAOD.

Association of serum Cyr61 levels with peripheral arterial disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes

Background The prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is obviously increased in patients with diabetes. Existing evidence shows that cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61), a 40-kD secreted protein, plays important roles in regulating cellular physiological processes. Recent studies have demonstrated a significant correlation between serum Cyr61 and atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between Cyr61 levels and PAD in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains obscure. Methods Data from a total of 306 subjects with T2DM were cross-sectionally analysed. The extent of PAD was determined by using the Fontaine classification, which defines four stages. We measured serum Cyr61 concentrations by ELISA in subjects with and without PAD at Fontaine’s stage II, III, or IV. Logistic regression models were used to examine the independent association of Cyr61 with PAD. Results Out of the 306 subjects enrolled, 150 were free from PAD, while 156 had clinically significant PAD. In subjects with PAD, the prevalences of Fontaine classification stages II, III and IV were 48.7%, 32.1%, and 19.2%, respectively. Patients with more advanced PAD had significantly higher Cyr61 (P for trend < 0.001). The prevalence of PAD on the basis of severity increased with increasing Cyr61 quartiles (all P values for trends < 0.001), and the severity of PAD was positively correlated with Cyr61 quartiles (r = 0.227, P = 0.006). The association of Cyr61 levels with PAD remained after adjusting for major risk factors in a logistic regression analysis. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that Cyr61 was significantly increased in PAD patients with T2DM and that Cyr61 levels were positively associated with disease severity. Cyr61 could be a promising biomarker and further studies are needed to assess its clinical utility.

Association of serum Cyr61 levels with peripheral arterial disease in subjects with type 2 diabetes

Background: The prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is obviously increased in patients with diabetes. Existing evidence shows that cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61), a 40-kD secreted protein, plays important roles in regulating cellular physiological processes. Recent studies have demonstrated a significant correlation between serum Cyr61 and atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between Cyr61 levels and PAD in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains obscure.Methods:. Data from a total of 306 subjects with T2DM were cross-sectionally analysed. The extent of PAD was determined by using the Fontaine classification, which defines four stages. We measured serum Cyr61 concentrations by ELISA in subjects with and without PAD at Fontaine’s stage II, III, or IV. Logistic regression models were used to examine the independent association of Cyr61 with PAD.Results: Out of the 306 subjects enrolled, 150 were free from PAD, while 156 had clinically significant PAD. In subjects with PAD, the prevalences of Fontaine classification stages II, III and IV were 48.7%, 32.1%, and 19.2%, respectively. Patients with more advanced PAD had significantly higher Cyr61 (P for trend < 0.001). The prevalence of PAD on the basis of severity increased with increasing Cyr61 quartiles (all P values for trends < 0.001), and the severity of PAD was positively correlated with Cyr61 quartiles (r = 0.227, P = 0.006). The association of Cyr61 levels with PAD remained after adjusting for major risk factors in a logistic regression analysis.Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that Cyr61 was significantly increased in PAD patients with T2DM and that Cyr61 levels were positively associated with disease severity. Cyr61 could be a promising biomarker and further studies are needed to assess its clinical utility.

Association of serum Cyr61 levels with peripheral arterial disease in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: The prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is obviously increased in diabetic patients. Existing evidences show that cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61), a 40 kD secreted protein, plays important roles in regulating cellular physiological processes. Recent studies have demonstrated a significant correlation between serum Cyr61 levels and atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between Cyr61 levels and PAD in type 2 diabetic patients remains obscure.Methods:. A total of 306 subjects with type 2 diabetes were recruited. The extent of PAD was determined by using the Fontaine classification, which defines four stages. We analyzed Cyr61 serum levels by ELISA in patients with and without PAD at Fontaine’s stage II, III, or IV. Logistic regression models were used to examine the independent association of Cyr61 with PAD.Results: Out of the 306 patients enrolled in this study, 150 patients were free from PAD, while 156 had clinically significant PAD. In PAD patients, the prevalences of Fontaine classification stage II, III and IV were 48.7%, 32.1%, and 19.2%, respectively. Patients with more advanced PAD had significantly higher Cyr61 (P for trend <0.001). The prevalence of PAD on the basis of severity increased with ascending Cyr61 quartiles (all P for trend <0.001), and the severity of PAD was positively correlated with Cyr61 quartiles (r=0.227, P=0.006). The association of Cyr61 levels with PAD remained after adjusting for major risk factors in a logistic regression analysis.Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that Cyr61 was significantly increased in type 2 diabetic patients with PAD and that Cyr61 levels were positively associated with disease severity. It could be a promising biomarker and further studies are needed to assess its clinical utility.

Increased Elastin Degradation in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Is Associated with Peripheral Arterial Disease Independent of Calcification

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) results in extensive fragmentation and calcification of elastin fibers in the peripheral arteries, which results in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Current research focuses on the role of calcifications in the pathogenesis of PXE. Elastin degradation and calcification are shown to interact and may amplify each other. This study aims to compare plasma desmosines, a measure of elastin degradation, between PXE patients and controls and to investigate the association between desmosines and (1) arterial calcification, (2) PAD, and (3) PAD independent of arterial calcification in PXE. Plasma desmosines were quantified with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 93 PXE patients and 72 controls. In PXE patients, arterial calcification mass was quantified on CT scans. The ankle brachial index (ABI) after treadmill test was used to analyze PAD, defined as ABI < 0.9, and the Fontaine classification was used to distinguish symptomatic and asymptomatic PAD. Regression models were built to test the association between desmosines and arterial calcification and arterial functioning in PXE. PXE patients had higher desmosines than controls (350 (290–410) ng/L vs. 320 (280–360) ng/L, p = 0.02). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and pulmonary abnormalities, desmosines were associated with worse ABI (β (95%CI): −68 (−132; −3) ng/L), more PAD (β (95%CI): 40 (7; 73) ng/L), and higher Fontaine classification (β (95%CI): 30 (6; 53) ng/L), but not with arterial calcification mass. Lower ABI was associated with higher desmosines, independent from arterial calcification mass (β (95%CI): −0.71(−1.39; −0.01)). Elastin degradation is accelerated in PXE patients compared to controls. The association between desmosines and ABI emphasizes the role of elastin degradation in PAD in PXE. Our results suggest that both elastin degradation and arterial calcification independently contribute to PAD in PXE.

Relationship Between Psychological Factors and Wound Occurrence in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease in the Leg

This prospective study investigated psychological factors affecting wound healing in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Fifty patients with PAD in a local hospital were enrolled. The Geriatric Depression Scale short version, Type-D scale 14, Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Functional Independence Measure, Self-efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease Scale, Barriers Self-Efficacy Scale, and Mini Nutritional Assessment were applied to assess physical and psychological factors. Wound occurrence and healing were evaluated at 6 months after discharge, and 34 and 30 patients could be followed, respectively. The patient group with wound occurrence showed poorer mental component score (MCS) and better role/social component score (RCS) category scores of SF-36, and a higher stage in the Fontaine classification, than those without wound occurrence. On comparing Fontaine classification–matched subgroups, patients with wound occurrence showed poorer general health factor and MCS and better RCS of SF-36 than those without wound occurrence. Logistic analysis showed that MCS and RCS predicted wound occurrence and needs for local medical treatment, respectively. Among the psychological factors tested, MCS was a major factor associated with wound occurrence in the present study, with wide variation in clinical conditions and factors associated with PAD. Psychological factors were important as biological, physical, and social factors for patients with PAD during the long-term follow-up period, and an appropriate battery to evaluate psychological factors focused on patients with PAD should be developed.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 as compared to lower extremity artery disease.

Background Chronic lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) involves progressive arterial narrowing manifested by intermittent claudication (IC). LEAD entails endothelial dysfunction and fibrinolytic disorders. The main objective of the present study was to analyze selected parameters of the fibrinolytic system in the blood of patients with symptomatic LEAD depending on clinical parameters. Methods The test group consisted of 80 patients with LEAD (27F/53M) with an average age of 63.5±9 years. The control group included 30 healthy, non-smoking volunteers (10F/20M), with their median age of 56±6 years. The research material comprised venous blood to determine concentrations of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA Ag), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1 Ag) and D-dimer, fibrinogen and platelet count (PLT). Results Elevated concentrations of t-PA Ag and PAI-1 Ag as well as D-dimer and fibrinogen were found in the plasma of subjects with symptomatic LEAD. Various stages of the Fontaine classification demonstrated a gradual, statistically significant increase in the concentrations of fibrinogen and PLT count as the disease progressed. The subgroup of LEAD patients aged ≥ 65 years was reported to have significantly higher levels of D-dimer than the group of younger subjects. Besides, the LEAD group demonstrated: negative correlations between IC distance and fibrinogen concentrations, and PLT count, negative correlations between ABI at rest and concentrations of D-dimer and PLT count, and positive correlations between age and D-dimer levels. Conclusion High t-PA Ag concentrations in LEAD patients reflect damaged endothelium which comprises the main source of this factor. With high PAI-1 Ag levels, inactive fibrinolytic t-PA-PAI-1 complexes are formed. Increasing fibrinogen concentrations at the subsequent stages in accordance with the Fontaine classification, suggest a growing inflammatory condition. Elevated values of D-dimer reflect the aggregation of secondary fibrinolysis activation as the patient ages and along with impaired extremity vascularization manifested by the decreasing ABI.

Lower-Extremity Arteries

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of atherosclerotic disease affecting circulation in the extremities, which carries significant morbidity and mortality. High morbidity and mortality rates and subsequent healthcare costs are associated with PAD. More than 200 million people worldwide are estimated to suffer from PAD, and an estimated 8.5 million Americans above the age of 40 are affected by it. This chapter on lower-extremity PAD explores the incidence, risk factors, and patient presentation of the disease. It reviews diagnostic studies, including the ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe-brachial index, and pulse volume recordings (PVRs), as well as imaging studies. The spectrum of patient presentations is discussed, including the Rutherford and Fontaine classification schemes. Treatment options, including medical and endovascular and surgical revascularization, are reviewed as well.

Beyond the Arteries in Peripheral Artery Disease

Objectives. This study aimed to examine peripheral artery disease severity impact on psychological profile of arteriopathy patients.Material and methods. The prospective study included consecutive PAD patients admitted to the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Cardiology of the Emergency Clinical Hospital “Sf. Spiridon” Iasi, between January and September, 2017.Rezults. The group included 139 PAD patients, 80.6% male and 19.4% female, with an average age of 63.23±9.44 years. PAD stages have a very strong association with level of quality of life (p<0.0001). All Leriche-Fontaine classification categories were significantly associated with the depressive symptoms (p<0.0001). The stress level was moderate in stages IIA, IIB and III and extremely severe in the terminal stage. The prevalence of anxiety was lowest in incipient PADstages with the highest value in stage III.Conclusions. The fragment of the PhD study presented the psychological profile in the PAD staging and advocates a personalized, wide-ranging approach to the arteriopathy patient including pain and depressive-anxiety management, with amajor impact on the quality of life at terminal stages.