Prognostic Factors for Restenosis of Superficial Femoral Artery after Endovascular Treatment.

High incidence of superficial femoral artery (SFA) restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) poses a persistent challenge in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatment. We studied how the patients' and lesions' characteristics, thrombin generation, overall haemostatic potential (OHP), and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the NR4A2 and PECAM1 genes affected the likelihood of restenosis. In total, 206 consecutive PAD patients with limiting intermittent claudication due to SFA stenosis who were treated with balloon angioplasty with bailout stenting when necessary were included. Patients' clinical status and patency of the treated arterial segment on ultrasound examination were assessed 1, 6, and 12 months after the procedure. Restenosis occurred in 45% of patients, with less than 20% of all patients experiencing symptoms. In the multivariate analysis, predictors of restenosis proved to be poor infrapopliteal runoff, higher lesion complexity, absence of treated arterial hypertension, delayed lag phase in thrombin generation, and higher contribution of plasma extracellular vesicles to thrombin concentration. Poor infrapopliteal runoff increased the risk of restenosis in the first 6 months, but not later. The negative effect of poor infrapopliteal runoff on SFA patency opens questions about the potential benefits of simultaneous revascularisation of below-knee arteries along with SFA revascularisation.

Smoking and Diabetes Attenuate Number of CD34+ Haematopoietic Stem Cells in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Advanced Peripheral Artery Disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a globally prevalent problem with limited treatment options, leaving up to a fifth of patients remediless. The emergence of new studies on cell therapy in recent years offers a new promising option for their treatment. Our aim was to explore how the number of CD34+ hematopoietic cells in the peripheral blood of PAD patients is associated with patients' functional as well as atherogenic factors. We selected 30 patients with advanced PAD, recorded their performance in a walking test in standard conditions and sampled their blood for further analysis with an emphasis on CD34+ cell selection and counting. No correlation of the CD34+ cell number was confirmed with any of the observed laboratory parameters. There was an association between the claudication distance and the number of CD34+ cells (r = -0.403, p = 0.046). The number of CD34+ cells differed between patients with and without type II diabetes (p = 0.071) and between active smokers, past smokers, and non-smokers (p = 0.035; p = 0.068, p = 0.051, respectively), with both smoking and presence of diabetes type II having a negative effect on the number of CD34+ cells. Our study demonstrated a dependence of the CD34+ cell number on the patient's characteristics.

Clinical Outcomes after Endovascular Revascularisation of the Femoropopliteal Arterial Segment in Patients with Anticoagulant versus Antiplatelet Therapy: A Single-Centre Retrospective Cohort Study.

To prevent atherothrombotic events, patients with peripheral arterial disease are typically prescribed antiplatelet therapy (APT). However, some of them receive anticoagulant therapy (ACT) due to comorbidities. Our aim was to determine possible differences in the effectiveness and safety of both treatments in patients after endovascular femoropopliteal revascularisation. We retrospectively analysed 1247 patients after successful femoropopliteal revascularisation performed in a single tertiary medical centre and classified them into the ACT or APT group, based on their prescribed treatment. The groups were characterised by descriptive statistics, and their characteristics were adjusted for confounders by propensity score matching. Effectiveness and safety outcomes were assessed within one year after revascularisation. The odds ratio for the composite outcome of all-cause death, PAD exacerbation, and major amputation due to vascular causes with ACT versus APT was 1.21 (95% CI 0.53-2.21; p = 0.484). The odds ratio for major bleeding as defined by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis with ACT versus APT was 0.77 (95% CI 0.13-3.84; p = 0.251). We found no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness and safety of ACT, when compared to APT in patients with similar cardiovascular risk factors and other baseline characteristics. Further prospective research is warranted.

Bailout stenting in femoropopliteal arterial segment.

Background: Disabling peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of femoropopliteal segment is usually treated with percutaneous balloon dilatation, and when this is not successful, stent is placed. Long-term patency of stent is often compromised due to in-stent restenosis (ISR). We aimed to identify factors associated with bailout stenting, and to recognise risk factors for ISR in procedures without paclitaxel application. Patients and methods: We analysed 592 consecutive successful femoropopliteal interventions performed in patients with either disabling intermittent claudication or chronic critical limb ischemia (CLI). In patients with stent implantation, clinical and ultrasound (US) examination were performed one year after the intervention to establish the presence of ISR, defined as >50% stenosis on US imaging. Results: Bailout stenting was required in 133 (22.5%) procedures. Patients with stent placement were younger (70±10 vs 72±11 years, p=0.007) and less often presented with CLI (29.3% vs 40.5%, p=0.019). They more often reported smoking (63.2% vs 49.2%, p=0.005), less often had diabetes mellitus (35.3% vs 47.5%, p=0.013) and arterial hypertension (82.0% vs 90.8%; p=0.004). Stenting was also dependent on lesion complexity (TASC II C>B>A; p<0.001). Subgroup analysis of 110 procedures with bare metal stent (BMS) placement performed in 107 patients revealed ISR in 46.4% of stents, in half of cases it was symptomatic. Neither clinical nor lesion characteristics proved to differ between the group of procedures with ISR and group of procedures without ISR. Conclusions: Factors associated with bailout stenting were age, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, smoking, clinical picture of PAD and complexity of treated lesions. We did not find any risk factors influencing development of ISR in BMS.

The Predictive Value of the aCL and Anti-ß2GPI at the Time of Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis-A Two-Year Prospective Study.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an important cause of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). According to current APS classification criteria, APS cannot be confirmed until 24 weeks after DVT. This time frame results in frequent discontinuation of anticoagulant treatment before APS is diagnosed. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the potential predictive value of anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-ß2glycoprotein I (anti-ß2GPI) before discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy. Patients with newly diagnosed DVT were included into a 24-month prospective study. All patients received anticoagulant therapy. aCL and anti-ß2GPI were determined at inclusion and every four weeks for the first 24 weeks and then one and two years after inclusion. APS was confirmed in 24/221 (10.9%) patients. At the time of acute DVT 20/24 (83.3%), APS patients had positive aCL and/or anti-ß2GPI. Two patients had low aCL levels and two were negative at the time of acute DVT but later met APS criteria due to lupus anticoagulant (LA). Our data indicate that negative aCL and/or anti-ß2GPI at the time of acute DVT make further aPL testing unnecessary; however, LA should be determined after discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy. Positive aCL and/or anti-ß2GPI at the time of acute DVT have a strong positive predictive value for APS and may support therapeutic decisions.

Distal embolization during percutaneous revascularization of the lower extremity arteries.

Background: Percutaneous endovascular therapy is nowadays the leading treatment option for patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease, but it can be complicated with distal embolization (DE). Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 2054 endovascular revascularization interventions performed in patients with disabling claudication or chronic critical limb ischemia in the Catheterisation Laboratory of the Department of Vascular Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana between January 2014 and December 2018. Lesions were treated by balloon angioplasty and/or stent implantation, without atherectomy. Results: The overall incidence of DE was 0.9%. DE was more frequent in females than males (1.6% vs 0.5%, p = 0.011), in the absence of antiplatelet treatment prior to intervention compared to previous antiplatelet treatment (2.1% vs 0.6%, p = 0.005) and in femoropopliteal stenting compared to angioplasty without stenting (2.2% vs 0.8%, p = 0.037). DE was successfully managed with percutaneous aspiration, in combination with angioplasty when necessary, in 84% of cases. In remaining 16% of patients, DE was managed with surgical thromboembolectomy. Conclusions: The incidence of DE during endovascular revascularization of chronic atherosclerotic lesions in lower limb arteries without use of atherectomy was low. DE was more frequent in women, in patients without prior antiplatelet treatment and in femoropopliteal stenting. The majority of DE was successfully managed percutaneously.

Patients' radiation doses during percutaneous endovascular procedures in arteries of the lower limbs.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endovascular revascularisation interventions are increasingly used in treatment of lower extremity artery disease and may expose patients to substantial radiation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dose-area product (DAP) was retrospectively analysed in 1063 consecutive interventions performed in adult patients with lower extremity artery disease in a single tertiary medical centre. Differences between procedure types, stratified according to anatomical region and arterial lesion complexity were evaluated. RESULTS: Median DAP for diagnostic interventions was 35.6 (15.0-52.4) Gy cm2 in aorto-below-knee arteriography and 3.2 (2.0-4.5) Gy cm2 in ipsilateral femoral arteriography (p < 0.001). For angioplasty without stenting, median DAP was 53.4 (28.6-87.4) Gy cm2 for pelvic interventions vs. 5.9 (4.3-8.6) Gy cm2 for antegrade ipsilateral femoropopliteal interventions (p < 0.001). For stenting, median DAP was 54.9 (32.5-91.2) Gy cm2 for pelvic interventions vs. 8.3 (6.0-12.3) Gy cm2 for antegrade ipsilateral femoropopliteal interventions (p < 0.001). Inside the same anatomical region, diagnostic interventions were associated with significantly lower DAP than therapeutic interventions. Stenting vs no stenting increased DAP values only in antegrade ipsilateral femoropopliteal interventions (8.3 (6.0-12.3) vs 5.9 (4.3-8.6) Gy cm2 (p < 0.001). Arterial lesion complexity affected DAP values only in antegrade ipsilateral femoropopliteal therapeutic interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The most important factor influencing patients' radiation doses was the anatomical region. Pelvic interventions were associated with 6-11-times higher DAP values than femoropopliteal interventions with antegrade ipsilateral approach. Stenting and complexity of lesions increased DAP only in antegrade ipsilateral femoropopliteal interventions.

May-Thurner syndrome: old acquaintance, new perspective : Case report.

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) results from a frequent anatomic variant in which compression of the left common iliac vein between the body of the fifth lumbar vertebra and the pulsating right common iliac artery can cause deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the left lower limb. While anticoagulation remains the mainstay treatment of acute DVT, catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with stenting provides a safe and effective method for relieving acute symptoms and preventing postthrombotic syndrome in patients with MTS. In this article the diagnostic and treatment methods are presented in the case report of a 65-year-old woman with MTS who suffered iliofemoral DVT. Knowledge of anatomy is crucial for understanding and recognizing MTS as well as for treating MTS with endovascular procedures.

Impact of Asymptomatic Pulmonary Embolism on the Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Deep Venous Thrombosis.

Asymptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) is present in at least one-third of patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). However, knowledge about its influence on the prognosis of patients is limited. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of asymptomatic PE in patients with DVT and to explore risk factors for recurrent venous thromboembolic events. A total of 200 consecutive patients with the first episode of objectively confirmed DVT without symptoms of PE were included. All patients underwent ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy within 48 hours of DVT confirmation. Patients with inconclusive scans further underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography. At the time of inclusion and 4 weeks after discontinuation of anticoagulation, the levels of biomarkers of hemostasis and inflammation were assessed. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 4.2 ± 0.6 years. Recurrent episodes of venous thromboembolisms were recorded. Consistent with the literature, asymptomatic PE was present in 33.5% of the patients. During follow-up, 27 recurrent venous thromboembolisms were recorded, 20 presenting as DVT and 7 as symptomatic PE. Asymptomatic PE wasn't significantly associated with the rate of recurrence (p = 0.676). Recurrent events were associated with unprovoked versus provoked DVT (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.25-11.17; p < 0.001) and with increased versus normal D-dimer values, measured 4 weeks after discontinuation of anticoagulation (HR: 6.47; 95% CI: 2.96-14.17; p < 0.001).

Unprovoked proximal venous thrombosis is associated with an increased risk of asymptomatic pulmonary embolism.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is common in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The outcome of DVT with concomitant symptomatic PE is worse than the outcome of isolated DVT. The risk factors for DVT and simultaneous asymptomatic PE have not been systematically studied yet. AIM: To evaluate the frequency and risk factors for asymptomatic PE in patients with DVT. PATIENTS/METHODS: In 155 consecutive patients with a first episode of DVT and no PE symptoms, a ventilation-perfusion lung scan was performed. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated and concentrations of D-dimer, high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and troponin were measured. Laboratory tests for thrombophilia were performed. RESULTS: Asymptomatic PE was present in 36% of patients. No differences in gender, age, BMI and WHR were found between the patients with and without PE. PE was more common in patients with proximal DVT than in those with distal DVT (42% vs. 17%, p<0.01), and in patients with unprovoked DVT compared to patients with provoked DVT (51% vs. 28%, p<0.01). The risk of silent PE was the highest in patients with unprovoked proximal DVT (OR, 6.9; 95% CI, 2.3-21.0). Patients with asymptomatic PE had significantly higher values of D-dimer, hsCRP, t-PA and troponin than patients with isolated DVT. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic PE affected more than one third of patients with a first DVT. Unprovoked proximal DVT is the most important risk factor for the occurrence of silent PE.