Isolated profundaplasty for limb salvage.

Fifty-four patients underwent 56 profundaplasties for limb salvage. All had stenosis greater than 50% in diameter of the deep femoral artery and associated superficial femoral artery occlusive disease. After profundaplasty, ischemic ulcers healed in 9 of 17 (53%) patients. Rest pain was relieved in 6 of 19 (32%) and areas of ischemic necrosis healed in 7 of 20 (35%). Cumulative patency of the deep femoral artery was 49% at 3 years but fell to 21% at 5 years, whereas cumulative limb salvage was 49% and 36%, respectively. Eleven of the required 28 amputations were performed in the immediate postoperative period. Profundaplasty was used to lower the amputation level and preserve the knee joint in six patients. The other five early amputations occurred in severely ischemic limbs without distal vessels suitable for bypass. The profundaplasty remained patent in all 19 patients who underwent below-knee amputation and 16 (84%) became ambulatory with a prosthesis. Hemodynamic data provided by determination of the profundapopliteal collateral index predicted limb salvage in 10 of 11 (91%) of limbs when the index value was less than or equal to 0.19. Other clinical criteria, such as preoperative ankle-brachial index and the presence of diabetes mellitus, had no predictive value. Isolated profundaplasty for limb salvage is an effective first procedure for selected patients and provides a reasonable alternative to primary amputation or high-risk distal bypass. When amputation is inevitable, effective perfusion of the profunda femoris artery is essential for preservation of the knee joint and results in a high degree of functional rehabilitation.

Endarterectomized superficial femoral artery as an arterial patch.

Eighty-six patients underwent 90 profundaplasties for lower extremity ischemia using endarterectomized superficial femoral artery (ESFA) or vein as an arterial patch. Standard length profundaplasty was performed in 60 limbs and extended profundaplasty in 28. Seventy-two were performed for limb salvage and 18 for severe claudication. Fifty-four limbs underwent inflow reconstruction and profundaplasty, while 36 others had profundaplasty alone. Three-year cumulative patency rates were employed to compare the type of autogenous patch material to the profundaplasty length, operative indications, and procedures. In all groups, ESFA performed as well as vein. Endarterectomized superficial femoral artery patch angioplasty provides comparable long-term results to vein patch in patients undergoing profundaplasty, and demonstrates its durability as a vascular patch in situations where autogenous tissue is required or preferred while preserving the saphenous vein for later use.

The ischemic exercise test in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Implications for management.

We observed myocardial ischemia in 135 of 808 patients undergoing routine ECG-monitored treadmill tests before vascular reconstructive operations. Postoperative infarction incidence was 27% among 56 patients who had operations regardless of test results. When patients had a lesser procedure, such as extra-anatomic bypass, infarction incidence decreased to 17% (not statistically significant). Ten patients having staged aortocoronary and peripheral reconstruction had no myocardial infarctions postoperatively or during follow-up of up to five years. Of 37 patients asymptomatic for coronary artery disease who had normal ECGs at rest, 24% of those undergoing a standard intra-abdominal operation suffered myocardial infarctions. At present, such asymptomatic but high-risk patients can be identified only by routine ECG stress testing or coronary angiography. Patients with an ischemic response to exercise have the best chance for long-term survival through staged coronary and vascular reconstruction.

Profundaplasty in perspective: limitations in the long-term management of limb ischemia.

The ultimate value of profundaplasty in the management of lower extremity ischemia was determined by multifactoral analysis of 239 operated limbs in 209 patients followed up to 110 months. In patients who underwent operation for claudication (n=83), patency without the need for subsequent revision or distal bypass was achieved in 77% at 5 years. By contrast, profundaplasty patency was maintained in only 23% of 154 limbs operated upon for salvage. The patient survival rate was 75% at 5 years and 56% at 7 years among the claudication group but only 29% at both 5 and 7 years in the limb salvage group. Of the 104 survivors in the limb salvage category, 43 required amputation, 79% within the first year, and 13 limbs were saved by additional revascularization procedures. Profundaplasty is a durable procedure for relief of claudication. However, it is significantly less effective in patients threatened with limb loss. When amputation is inevitable, effective profunda perfusion is essential for preservation of the knee joint.