Reinterventions after Endovascular Revascularization in Elderly Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular-first strategy for critical limb ischemia is widely accepted, especially in elderly patients, because of the increasing patency rates and minimally invasive character. Nonetheless, the impact of reinterventions because of endovascular treatment failure in this population is not well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reintervention rate and outcomes following reinterventions. METHODS: Patients aged >70 years with critical limb ischemia as a result of aortoiliac, femoropopliteal, and/or crural disease, treated by "endovascular-first strategy" between 2006 and 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up was until 31 December 2014. Primary end point was freedom from reintervention or major amputation. Secondary outcome measures were limb salvage and mortality after reintervention. Reintervention was defined as endovascular or surgical re-revascularization and categorized into early reintervention (<3 months) and late reintervention (>3 months). RESULTS: In total, 263 patients were treated by endovascular revascularization. The majority (60%) of the treated lesion was located in the femoropopliteal segment. In total, a reintervention was performed in 32%, with 48% performed within 3 months. Freedom from reintervention or major amputation at 1 and 3 years was 0.71 ± 0.03 and 0.61 ± 0.03, respectively. The 1-year Kaplan-Meier estimate amputation-free survival was 0.35 ± 0.06 in the early reintervention group, compared with 0.73 ± 0.06 in the late reintervention group and 0.71 ± 0.04 in the no reintervention group (P < 0.001; log rank). The 1-year mortality in the early reintervention group was 0.35 ± 0.06, compared with 0.14 ± 0.05 in the late reintervention group and 0.29 ± 0.04 in the group who did not require reintervention (P = 0.047; log rank). CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular revascularization first strategy for critical limb ischemia results in high reintervention rates in elderly patients. Failure of the endovascular revascularization requiring early reintervention is associated with lower amputation-free survival.

Life Expectancy and Outcome of Different Treatment Strategies for Critical Limb Ischemia in the Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI) in the elderly patients is challenging because of the comorbidity and fragility of these patients. We analyzed survival in relation to different treatment options and estimated life expectancy of our study group by age and gender. METHODS: All patients aged ≥70 years, presenting with chronic CLI, between 2006 and 2013 were included. The treatment was conservative, endovascular, surgical, or by primary major amputation. The interest was in the effect of conservative versus nonconservative treatment on survival. Furthermore, we compared mortality and life expectancy between the study population to the overall Dutch population by age and gender. RESULTS: In total, 686 legs in 651 patients were treated. Initial treatment of patients was conservative (n = 181), endovascular (n = 259), surgical (n = 169), or amputation (n = 42). The overall 1-year mortality was 29%. Patients were stratified by age: 70-79 (n = 350) years and ≥80 (n = 301) years. Higher mortality rate ratios (RR) were found in octogenarians compared with patients aged 70-79 years, in the endovascular (P < 0.001) and surgical (P < 0.001) group. The mortality RRs of conservative relatively to nonconservative treatment was 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.65-1.09; P = 0.19), not significantly differing between both age groups (P = 0.74). The mortality RR of 3.72 of our study population to the Dutch general population was high, with an excess mortality of 272%. Life expectancy at the age of 70 years was substantially decreased by 9 and 8 years for, respectively, the male and female population. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality rates in elderly patients with CLI are high, corresponding with a decreased life expectancy, regardless of the type of intervention. Revascularization is associated with high periprocedural mortality, especially in octogenarians. Conservative treatment is noninferior to nonconservative treatment in terms of mortality and should be considered as the treatment in octogenarians with substantial comorbidity.

Mortality after major amputation in elderly patients with critical limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the aging population, the number of elderly patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) has increased. The consequence of amputation is immense. However, at the moment, information about the mortality after amputation in the elderly vascular patients is unknown. For this reason, this study evaluated mortality rates and patient-related factors associated with mortality after a major amputation in elderly patients with CLI. METHODS: From 2006 to 2013, we included patients aged >70 years who were treated for chronic CLI by primary or secondary major amputation within or after 3 months of initial therapy (revascularization or conservative management). Outcome measurements were mortality after major amputation and factors associated with mortality (age, comorbidity and timing of amputation). RESULTS: In total, 168/651 patients (178 legs; 26%) underwent a major amputation. Patients were stratified by age: 70-80 years (n=86) and >80 years (n=82). Overall mortality after major amputation was 44%, 66% and 85% after 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. The 6-month and 1-year mortality in patients aged 80 years or older was, respectively, 59% or 63% after a secondary amputation <3 months versus 34% and 44% after a secondary amputation >3 months. Per year of age, the mortality rate increased by 4% (P=0.005). No significant difference in mortality after major amputation was found in the presence of comorbidity or according to Rutherford classification. CONCLUSION: Despite developments in the treatment of CLI by revascularization, amputation rates remain high and are associated with tremendous mortality rates. Secondary amputation after a failed attempt of revascularization causes a higher mortality. Further research concerning timing of amputation and patient-related outcome is needed to evaluate if selected patients might benefit from primary amputation.

Case report of nail bed injury after blunt trauma; what lies beneath the nail?

INTRODUCTION: A stable, mobile and sensate fingertip is of paramount importance to perform daily tasks and sense dangerous situations. Unfortunately, fingertips are easily injured with various extents of soft tissue damage. Delayed and inadequate treatment of nail bed injuries may cause substantial clinical problems. The aim is to increase awareness about nail bed injuries among physicians who often treat these patients. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a 26-year-old male with blunt trauma to a distal phalanx. Conventional radiographs showed an intra-articular, multi-fragmentary fracture of the distal phalanx. At the outpatient department the nail was removed and revealed a lacerated nail bed, more than was anticipated upon during the first encounter at the emergency department. DISCUSSION: Blunt trauma to the fingertip occurs frequently and nail bed injuries are easy to underestimate. An adequate emergency treatment of nail bed injuries is needed to prevent secondary deformities and thereby reduce the risk of secondary reconstruction of the nail bed, which often gives unpredictable results. CONCLUSION: However, adequate initial assessment and treatment are important to achieve the functional and cosmetic outcomes. Therefore awareness of physicians at the emergency department is essential.

Outcome of elective treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in elderly patients.

INTRODUCTION: Optimal management of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the elderly is not straightforward. We evaluated treatment results of elderly patients with asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm that met the treatment criteria in our clinic. METHODS: Hospital charts between January 2005-December 2012 were reviewed of all patients 70 years and older diagnosed with AAA with a diameter that met the treatment criteria. Patients were stratified by age (group I: 70-79 years, group II: 80 years or older) and treatment. Outcome was measured in terms of survival and complications. RESULTS: In total 283 patients (240 (85%) men, median age 77.4 years) were included, 211 (75%) in group I and 72 (25%) in group II. There was an overall significantly higher mortality rate in the octogenarians (p < 0.01). This difference was not seen in the groups treated conservatively and with OPEN repair. However, in the EVAR group there was a significantly higher mortality rate in octogenarians (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Long-term outcome after EVAR procedures results in higher mortality rates for the population older than 80 years as compared to the group aged 70-79 years.

Outcome after osteosynthesis of hip fractures in nonagenarians.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures in the elderly population are associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, there is still a lack of information on mortality and loss of independence in extremely elderly people with a hip fracture. OBJECTIVE: To study functional outcomes and mortality after osteosynthesis of hip fractures in very old patients in our clinic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Hospital charts of all patients over 90 years old who were operated for a hip fracture between January 2007 and December 2011 were reviewed. Outcome measures were mortality, preoperative and postoperative mobility, and loss of independence. RESULTS: A total of 149 patients were included; 132 (89%) women, median age 93.5±2.45 years. Thirty-six (24%) patients were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade 2, 104 (70%) as ASA grade 3, and nine (6%) as ASA grade 4. The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score was 2 or less in 115 (77%) patients and 34 (23%) patients scored 3 or more points. Short-term survival was 91% and 77% at 30 days and 3 months, respectively. Long-term survival was 64%, 42%, and 18% at 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery, respectively. Survival was significantly better in patients with lower ASA scores (P=0.005). No significant difference in survival was measured between patients according to CCI score (P=0.13). Fifty-one percent of patients had to be accommodated in an institution with more care following treatment, and 57% were less mobile after osteosynthesis of a hip fracture. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that short-term mortality rates in very elderly patients with a hip fracture are high and there is no clear predictive value for mortality. ASA classification is the best predictive value for overall mortality. A large proportion of these patients lost their independence after osteosynthesis of a hip fracture.

Increasing rates of pelvic fractures among older adults: The Netherlands, 1986-2011.

BACKGROUND: age-related issues are expected to rise in the coming decades. Osteoporosis, falls and fractures are major public health issues among elderly. Pelvic fractures are associated with a serious morbidity and hospitalisation rate. We therefore performed a study to determine trends in incidence and age-specific rates of pelvic fracture-related hospitalisations among elderly (≥65 years). METHODS: a secular trend analysis of all hospitalisations due to a pelvic fracture among older adults, using the National Medical Registration, 1986-2011, The Netherlands. RESULTS: the total number of hospitalisations due to a pelvic fracture increased from 887 in 1986 to 2,013 admissions in 2011 (127% increase). The overall age-adjusted incidence rate increased from 5.19 in 1986 to 7.14 per 10,000 population in 2011 (37.5% increase). The incidence rate increased with age and was higher for females. The Percentual Annual Change was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.9;1.5) for older males, and 1.0% (95% CI: 0.9;1.2) for females, respectively. The mean length of hospital stay decreased between 1991 and 2011 to 12.0 days (53.4% decrease). The total number of hospital-bed-days decreased from 29,002 days in 1991 to 17,283 days in 2011 (40.4% decrease), despite an increase in absolute number of admissions. CONCLUSION: absolute numbers and incidence rates of pelvic fractures are increasing among the older Dutch population. Considering the fact the general population is growing older, an increasing number of elderly suffer from pelvic fractures. Attention on osteoporosis screening and prevention of falls in elderly remains important, in order to limit-related healthcare costs in the future.

[Treatment of colorectal liver metastasis at a regional hospital versus a university medical centre]. / Chirurgische behandeling van colorectale levermetastasen in een perifeer en een academisch ziekenhuis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of this type of liver surgery performed at a specialised regional hospital in comparison with the operation performed at a university medical centre (UMC). DESIGN: Prospective study at 2 hospitals. METHODS: All patients with colorectal liver metastasis who had undergone a partial liver resection and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) at Amphia Hospital or at the Academic Medical Centre - University of Amsterdam (AMC) from January 2005-June 2011 were included. Data on patient characteristics, type of operation, pathology results and (disease-free) survival were collected. The primary outcome measures were surgical complications and survival. RESULTS: A total of 232 patients were included. No difference in patient characteristics between centres was identified. At the AMC, 121 patients (98.4%) had undergone a resection; 6 in combination with RFA. Two patients (1.6%) had only undergone RFA. At Amphia Hospital, 85 patients (78%) had undergone a resection; 30 in combination with RFA. In 24 patients (22%), only RFA was performed. There was significant difference in the type of treatment (p < 0.01). Not significantly different between centres were the average lengths of hospital stays, surgical complications and recurrence rates. After resection, no significant differences in the 1- and 3-year (disease-free) survival rates were found between the centres. At Amphia Hospital, the overall survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 86, 47 and 29%, respectively. These rates were significantly better at AMC with 91, 78 and 53%, respectively (p < 0.05). The difference in (disease-free) survival for the entire group of patients can be explained by the more frequent performance of RFA at Amphia Hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative morbidity, mortality and survival rates after liver surgery obtained from a specialised regional hospital are similar to results obtained from a UMC.

Vascular access outcome in the elderly dialysis patient in combination with the quality of life.

PURPOSE: We performed a retrospective study on hemodialysis fistulae in patients aged 75 years and older. METHODS: Dialysis records of 2 hospitals were searched for patients of 75 years and older who had primary autologous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (RCAVFs) and brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (BCAVFs). Outcome measures were primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates. Also, quality of life (QOL) was measured. RESULTS: A total of 107 fistulae were placed in 90 patients; 65 (61%) RCAVFs and 42 (39%) BCAVFs were created. The primary patency rate (P = .026) and the primary-assisted patency rate (P = .016) of BCAVFs were significantly higher than that of RCAVFs. Secondary patency rates at 1 year (P = .01) and 2 years (P = .035) were higher in BCAVFs than in RCAVFs. CONCLUSIONS: The BCAVFs give significantly higher primary and primary-assisted patency rates and also significantly higher secondary patency rates at 1 and 2 years. Therefore, we suggest the placement of elbow fistulae in the elderly patients. The QOL was surprisingly high in this population despite a high mortality rate.

Treatment for critical lower limb ischemia in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Critical limb ischemia (CLI) has a poor outcome when left untreated. The benefits of revascularization in the very elderly might be limited because of co-morbidities and short life expectancy. Therefore, optimal management of CLI in the elderly is not straightforward. We analyzed treatment results for elderly patients with CLI (Rutherford 4 or 5/6) in our clinic. METHODS: Hospital charts of all patients>70 years of age diagnosed with Rutherford stage 4-6 peripheral arterial disease between January 2006 and December 2009 were reviewed. We divided patients into two age groups (70-79 and ≥80 years) to compare treatment results. Primary interventions were defined as conservative, endovascular, reconstructive surgery, and amputation. Outcome measures were mortality, reintervention, and major amputation rates. RESULTS: There were 191 patients [99 (52%) were women], median age 78.4 years, range 70-98 years. Altogether, 119 (62%) patients were aged 70-79 years, and 72 (38%) were ≥80 years. The primary intervention was equally divided over the two age groups (p=0.21). Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus Document on Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC II) classifications of aortoiliac lesions were not significantly different regarding intervention (p=0.62) or age (p=0.39). TASC II classification of femoropopliteal lesions was significantly different relative to intervention (p<0.01) but not different between age groups (p=0.68). Mortality rate after reconstructive surgery was significant higher in the oldest age group (p<0.01). After conservative treatment, endovascular treatment, or amputation, the mortality rates were not significantly different between the two age groups (respectively, p=0.06, p=0.33, p=0.76). Reintervention rate was 51% in the 70- to 79-year group compared to 32% in the ≥80-year group. After initial treatment, major amputations were performed in 10% in the 70- to 79-year group compared to 13% in the ≥80-year group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients aged≥80 years, surgical revascularization resulted in a significant higher mortality rate in our clinic, whereas primary conservative, endovascular treatment and amputation resulted in similar mortality in both age groups. When considering surgical revascularization in the very elderly, surgeons should focus on careful patient selection.