Abstract:

Introduction: all over the world, the number of patients with peripheral arterial lesions is growing, the progression of the disease leads to the chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) with an increasement in mortality. To carry out revascularization, it is required to accurately determine the degree and length of lesions of arteries of limbs, with the creation of a «road map» of lesions and the choice of the least affected artery ? the target arterial pathway.

Aim: was to determine the effectiveness of CT angiography in diagnosing lesions of shin arteries in patients with critical lower limb ischemia (CLI) by calculating its sensitivity and specificity in comparison with digital subtraction angiography.

Materials and methods: the study included 26 patients (15 men and 11 women, average age of patients 69,3 ± 10,8 years) with critical lower limb ischemia, against the background of lesions of the femoro-popliteal segment of arteries, class D TASC II. All patients underwent CT angiography on a 64-spiral computed tomography scanner. Obtained data was compared with results of catheter angiography (digital subtraction angiography), used as a reference method.

Results: the sensitivity of CT angiography in determining the degree of lesion (stenosis or occlusion) of leg arteries was 100% and 94%, the specificity was 83% and 96%, respectively. The overall accuracy of CT angiography in the tibial segment was 87% for stenoses and 94% for occlusions. According to results of CTA, massive calcification was detected in 13% of cases from the total number of analyzed arteries. When evaluating these arteries according to DSA data, most of arteries (11 of 12) were occluded, and the length of occlusions in 8 cases was maximum according to the GLASS classification (the length was more than 1/3 of the artery length). The presence of strong correlations between CT angiography and digital angiography on the presence of occlusions, stenoses> 50% and their length was determined.

Conclusions: CT angiography is a highly informative method for diagnosing the degree and length of lesions of shin arteries in patients with critical lower limb ischemia.

References

1.     GBD 2017 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators (2018). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2018; 392(10159): 1789-1858.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)32279-7

2.     Reinecke H, Unrath, M, Freisinger E, et al. Peripheral arterial disease and critical limb ischaemia: still poor outcomes and lack of guideline adherence. European heart journal. 2015; 36(15), 932-938.

https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehv006

3.     National guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of lower limb arterial diseases. Expert group for the preparation of recommendations: chairmen of the expert group Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Bokeria LA, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Pokrovsky AV. Moscow, 2019 [In Russ].

http://www.angiolsurgery.org/library/recommendations/2019/recommendations_LLA_2019.pdf

4.     Aboyans V, Ricco JB, Bartelink M, et al. ESC Scientific Document Group (2018). 2017 ESC Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Diseases, in collaboration with the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS): Document covering atherosclerotic disease of extracranial carotid and vertebral, mesenteric, renal, upper and lower extremity arteries Endorsed by: the European Stroke Organization (ESO)The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and of the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS). European heart journal. 2018; 39(9): 763-816.

https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehx095

5.     Norgren L, Hiatt WR, Dormandy JA, et al. Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC II). Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2007; 33 (1): 1-75.

https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.ejvs.2006.09.024

6.     Conte MS, Bradbury AW, Kolh P, et al. Global vascular guidelines on the management of chronic limb-threatening ischemia. J Vasc Surg. 2019; 69(6S): 3-125.

https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2019.02.016

7.     Pokrovsky AV, Yakhontov DI. The value of assessing the outflow tract in femoral-tibial reconstructions. Rossijskij Mediko-biologicheskij vestnik im. akademika I.P. Pavlova. 2013; 4: 104-112 [In Russ].

8.     Hamburg NM, Creager MA. Pathophysiology of Intermittent Claudication in Peripheral Artery Disease. Circulation journal: official journal of the Japanese Circulation Society. 2017; 81(3): 281-289.

https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.CJ-16-1286

9.     Bollinger A, Breddin K, Hess H, et al. Semiquantitative assessment of lower limb atherosclerosis from routine angiographic images. Atherosclerosis. 1981; 38(3-4): 339-346.

https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/0021-9150(81)90050-2

10.   Rutherford RB, Baker JD, Ernst C, et al. Recommended standards for reports dealing with lower extremity ischemia: revised version. J Vasc Surg. 1997; 26(3): 517-538.

https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/s0741-5214(97)70045-4

11.   Graziani L, Silvestro A, Bertone V, et al. Vascular involvement in diabetic subjects with ischemic foot ulcer: a new morphologic categorization of disease severity. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2007; 33(4): 453-460.

https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.ejvs.2006.11.022

12.   Radiation diagnostics of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. National leadership. (Ed. by LS Kokov; SK Ternovoj.) Moscow, GEOTAR-Media, 2011; 688 [In Russ].

13.   ?urovi? Sarajli? V, Toti? D, Bi?o Osmanagi? A, et al. Is 64-Row Multi-Detector Computed Tomography Angiography Equal to Digital Subtraction Angiography in Treatment Planning in Critical Limb Ischemia? Psychiatr Danub. 2019; 31(5): 814-820.

14.   Al-Rudaini HEA, Han P, Liang H. Comparison Between Computed Tomography Angiography and Digital Subtraction Angiography in Critical Lower Limb Ischemia. Curr Med Imaging Rev. 2019; 15(5): 496-503.

https://doi.org/doi:10.2174/1573405614666181026112532

15.   Lim JC, Ranatunga D, Owen A, et al. Multidetector (64+) Computed Tomography Angiography of the Lower Limb in Symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease: Assessment of Image Quality and Accuracy in a Tertiary Care Setting. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2017; 41(2): 327-333.

https://doi.org/doi:10.1097/RCT.0000000000000494

16.   Mohler ER, Jaff MR Peripheral Artery Disease 2nd Edition. Wiley-Blackwell. 2017; 208.

17.   Ayubova NL, Bondarenko ON, Galstyan GR, et al. Peculiarities of lesions of the arteries of the lower extremities and clinical outcomes of endovascular interventions in patients with diabetes mellitus with critical ischemia of the lower extremities and chronic kidney disease. Saharnyj diabet. 2013; (4): 85-94 [In Russ].

18.   Molitvoslovova NA, Manchenko OV, Jaroslavceva MV, et al. The relationship of calcification of the arteries of the lower extremities with the severity of distal neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. Problemy jendokrinologii. 2013; 59(2): 7-11 [In Russ].

https://doi.org/10.14341/probl20135927-11

19.   Konijn LCD, Takx RAP, de Jong PA, et al. Arterial calcification and long-term outcome in chronic limb-threatening ischemia patients. Eur J Radiol. 2020; 132: 109305.

https://doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2020.109305

Abstract:

Aim: was to analyze long-term results of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with unilateral lesion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), the lack of/or insignificant lesion on the contralateral side on statin therapy.

Materials and methods: for the period January 2009-December 2010, 262 CEA performed in 262 patients. Evaluated results of survival rate, stroke and myocardial infarction, condition of carotid arteries, effect of various factors on features of atherosclerotic lesions and effect of statin therapy on these processes.

Results: in late follow-up period - 245(93,5%) survivors. Patients were divided into groups: simvastatin - 60(24,5%) patients, atorvastatin - 134(54,7%) observations, rosuvastatin - 51(20,8%) cases. 14 patients died, data were obtained on the 13, average loss of 6.06%. The frequency of cardiovascular events leading to death is seven cases. Non-fatal stroke of any location - 5(1,9%) observations. The influence of hypertension (p=0,019), smoking (p=0,004), type 2 diabetes (p=0,03), dyslipidemia: hypercholesterolemia (p=0,05), hypertriglyceridemia (p=0,02), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level is higher than normal (p=0,015), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is below normal (p = 0,03) and other factors. Lowering cholesterol by 5,9% is marked in the atorvastatin group, maintaining at recommended values throughout the period from the initial selection in the rosuvastatin group (p = 0,0001). LDL cholesterol decreased by 19,1% in the mean value in the atorvastatin group (p = 0,0001), the increase of HDL level of 3,4% in the rosuvastatin group (p=0,02). Achievement of recommended levels of cholesterol was more often observed in the rosuvastatin group at 64,7% compared with simvastatin (p = 0,03). Risk factors influenced the incidence of restenosis ipsilateral side in 3 patients (1,2%). The greatest influence of risk factors was determined in the atorvastatin group (4,1%, p=0,001). Atorvastatin therapy stabilized the wall of the ICA 17,6% more often (p=0,05) and contralateral common carotid artery, leaving it intact at 84,6% (p=0,002) compared with other groups of statins.

Conclusion: the purpose of statin therapy depends on the severity of the atherosclerotic process the characteristics of the lipid profile and the need correction of risk factors. The most effect is provided by the group of synthetic statin above semisynthetic. Atorvastatin therapy is effective with moderate hypercholesterolemia; rosuvastatin prescribed with severe dyslipidemia.

References

1.      Rothwell P.M., Eliasziw M., Gutnikov S.A., Fox A.J., Taylor D.W., Mayberg M.R. et al. Analysis of pooled data from the randomized controlled trials of endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Lancet. 2003; 361: 107-116.

2.      AbuRahma A.F., Srivastava M., Stone P.A. Effects of Statins on Early and Late Clinical Outcomes of Carotid Endarterectomy and the Rate of Post-Carotid Endarterectomy Restenosis. J Am Coll Surg. 2015;220:481-488.

3.      Sillesen H., Amarenco P., Hennerici M.G., Callahan A., Goldstein L.B., Zivin J. et al. Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels Investigators. Atorvastatin reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with carotid atherosclerosis: a secondary analysis of the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial. Stroke. 2008; 39: 3297-3302.

4.      O'Regan C., Wu P., Arora P., Perri D., and Mills E.J. Statin therapy in stroke prevention: a meta-analysis involving 121,000 patients. Am J Med. 2008; 21: 24-33.

5.      Perler B.A. The effect of statin medications on perioperative and long-term outcomes following carotid endarterectomy or stenting. Semin Vasc Surg. 2007; 20: 252-258.

6.      McGirt M.J., Perler B.A., Brooke B.S., Woodworth G.F., Coon A., Jain S. et al. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors reduce the risk of perioperative stroke and mortality after carotid endarterectomy. J. Vasc Surg. 2005; 42: 829-836.

7.      Paraskevas K.I., Athyros V.G., Briana D.D., Kakafika A.I., Karagiannis A., and Mikhailidis, D.P. Statins exert multiple beneficial effects on patients undergoing percutaneous revascularization procedures. Curr Drug Targets. 2007; 8: 942-951.

8.      Koh K.K. Effects of statins on vascular wall (vasomotor function, inflammation, and plaque stability). Cardiovasc Res. 2000; 47: 648-657.

9.      Amarenco P., Labreuche J., Lavallee P., and Touboul, P.J. Statins in stroke prevention and carotid atherosclerosis (systematic review and up-to-date meta-analysis). Stroke. 2004; 35: 2902-2909.

10.    Amarenco P. and Labreuche J. Lipid management in the prevention of stroke: review and updated metaanalysis of statins for stroke prevention. Lancet Neurol. 2009; 8: 453-463.

11.    Pokrovsky A.V., Beloyartsev D. F., Talibli O. L. Analysis of long-term results of eversion carotid endarterectomy. Angiology and vascular surgery. 2014; 20 (4): 100-108 [In Russ].

12.    Efthymios D. Avgerinos Rabih A., Abdallah Naddaf, Omar M. El-Shazly, Luke Marone, Michel S. Makaroun. Primary closure after carotid endarterectomy is not inferior to other closure techniques. Presented at the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society 2015 Summer Meeting, Chicago, Ill, June 17-20, 2015.

13.    Taylor A.J., Kent S.M., Flaherty P.J., Coyle L.C., Markwood T.T., and Vernalis, M.N. ARBITER: Arterial Biology for the Investigation of the Treatment Effects of Reducing Cholesterol: a randomized trial comparing the effects of atorvastatin and pravastatin on carotid intima medial thickness. Circulation. 2002; 106: 2055-2060.

14.    Taylor A.J., Sullenberger L.E., and Lee H.Y ARBITER 3: Atherosclerosis regression during open-label continuation of extended-release niacin following ARBITER 2. Circulation. 2005; 112: II-179.

15.    Jones P., Davidson M., Stein E. et al. STELLAR Study Group. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin across doses (STELLAR  Trial). Am. J. Cardiol. 2003; 92(2): 152-160.

16.    Crouse J.R. III, Raichlen J.S., Riley W.A. et al. Effect of rosuvastatin on progression of carotid intima-media thickness in low-risk individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis: the METEOR Trial. JAMA. 2007;297:1344-1353.

17.    Radak D., Tanaskovic S., Matic P., et al. Eversion Carotid Endarterectomy - Our Experience After 20 Years of Carotid Surgery and 9897 Carotid Endarterectomy Procedures. Ann. Vasc. Surg. 2012; 26(7): 924-928.

18.    Executive Committee for the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study. Endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. JAMA. 1995; 273: 1421-1428.

19.    Sever P.S., Poulter N.R., Dahlof B. et al. Different Time Course for Prevention of Coronary and Stroke Events by Atorvastatin in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial-Lipid-Lowering Arm (ASCOT-LLA). Am J Cardiol. 2005; 96: 39-44.

20.    Paraskevas K.I., Hamilton G., Mikhailidis D.P. Statins: an essential component in the management of carotid artery disease. J Vasc Surg. 2007; 46: 373-386.

Abstract:

The aim of this research was to perform preoperative examination of distal arterial flow in patients with popliteal artery aneurysms. We performed 47 open surgery procedures in 38 patients with popliteal artery aneurysms. Patients underwent duplex scanning, CT and angiography Duplex scanning was performed in all cases while CT only in 14 (36,8%) cases. Angiography was performed in 29 (76,3%) cases (43 aneurysms).

We revealed that with the increasing duration of the disease increases the number of aneurysms with thrombus (71,8% vs 28,2%, p<0,05). Accordingly increases the number of patients with distal embolisation: 81,6% diseased shin arteries in patients with popliteal aneurysm vs 46,7% in patients without aneurysm (p<0,05). Therefore the longer aneurysm exists the more cases are complicated. In conclusion angiography still plays important role in diagnostics of popliteal aneurysms and helps to make decision for type of revascularization procedure.

Reference

1.    Duffy S.T., Colgan M.P., Sultan S., Moore D.J., Shanik G.D. Popliteal aneurysms: a 10-year experience. Eur. J. Vasc. Endovasc. Surg. 1998; 16: 218-222.

2.    Pulli R., Dorigo W., Troisi N., Innocenti A.A., Pratesi G., Azas L. et al. Surgical management of popliteal artery aneurysms: which factors affect outcomes? J. Vasc. Surg. 2006; 43: 481-487.

3.    Troitsky A.V., Bobrovskaya A.N., Orekhov PJ. et al he successful percutaneous endovascular treatment of ruptured femoral artery’aneurysm. Angiology and vascular surgery, 2005; 11(1): 53-60.

4.    Dent T.L., Lindenauer S.M. Ernst C.B., Fry WJ. Multiple arteriosclerotic arterial aneurysms. Arch. Surg. 1972; 105: 338-344.

5.    Spiridonov A.A., Morozov K.M.. Peripheral arteries aneurysms. Clinical angiology. Edited by prof. Pokrovsky A.V. Meditsina 2004; 262-284.

6.    Antonello M., Frigatti P., Battocchio P., Lepidi S., A.Dallrantonia, G.P.Deriu, Grego F. Endovascular treatment of asymptomatic popliteal aneurysms: 8-year concurrent with open repair. J. Cardiovasc. Surg. 2007; 48: 267-274.

7.    Dawson I., Sie R.B., Van Bockel J.N. Atherosclerotic popliteal aneurysm. Br. J. Surg. 1997; 84: 293-299.

8.    Stiegler H., Mendler G. Prospective study of 36 patients with 46 popliteal artery aneurysms with non-surgical treatment. Vasa. 2002; 31: 43-46.

9.    Carpenter J.P., Barker C.F., Roberts B., Berkowith H.D., Lusk E.J., Perloff L.J. Popliteal artery aneurysms: current management and outcome. J. Vasc. Surg. 1994; 19: 65-72.

10.  Tiellu I.F., Verhoeven E.L., Prins T.R., Post WJ., Hulsebos R.G., van den Dungen J.J. Treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms with the Hemobahn stent-graft. J. Endovasc. Ther. 2003; 10: 111-116.