Complete Lower Extremity Revascularization via a Hybrid Procedure for Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Complete revascularization, achieving inline flow to the foot through at least 1 patent tibioperoneal artery, is considered to be desirable for treating critical limb ischemia (CLI). Hybrid procedure, combined femoral endarterectomy and endovascular treatment, is commonly performed on patients with CLI because they often present with complicated lower extremity lesions involving the common femoral artery. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of complete revascularization (CR) achieved by hybrid procedure on limb salvage in patients with CLI.

METHODS: Between February 2010 and January 2016, 95 limbs (82 patients) were treated by lower extremity hybrid procedure; of these 95 procedures, 61 were for patients with CLI. We defined CR as achieving inline flow to the foot through at least 1 patent tibioperoneal artery. Complete revascularization was performed on 37 limbs, and incomplete revascularization (IR) was performed on 24 limbs. Specific variables, including patient age, male-female ratio, Rutherford classification, preoperative and postoperative ankle-brachial pressure indices (ABIs), follow-up duration (months), primary patency rate, assisted primary patency rate, secondary patency rate, and major amputation rate, were analyzed.

RESULTS: The mean age was similar between the groups 67.2 years in the CR group and 70.7 years in the IR group ( P = .11). Limb ischemia severity was significantly higher in the CR group: 63% of the patients scored Rutherford 5 in the CR group, compared to 30% in the IR group ( P = .027). Mean postoperative ABI was significantly higher in the CR group (CR: 0.87, IR: 0.53; P = .0001). Major amputation rate was higher in the IR group (CR: 2.7%, IR: 13%; P = .29), and major amputation-free survival rate at 3 years after the index procedure was higher in the CR group (CR: 97%, IR: 81%; P = .054).

CONCLUSION: Complete lower extremity revascularization was beneficial for patients with CLI, avoiding major amputation.