Renal insufficiency is independently associated with a distal distribution pattern of symptomatic lower-limb...

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of renal insufficiency (RI) on the distribution pattern of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We hypothesised that RI is associated with a distally accentuated involvement of the peripheral arterial tree.

This is a retrospective analysis.

Analysis was based on a consecutive series of 2709 patients with chronic PAD of atherosclerotic origin undergoing primary endovascular treatment of lower-extremity arteries. Atherosclerotic pattern was grouped into femoropopliteal (n=2085) and infragenicular (n=892) disease according to target lesions treated while using iliac disease (n=1133) as reference. Univariable and multivariable multinomial regression analyses were performed to assess relation with RI. Results are shown as relative risk ratio (RRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RI was defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR)<60 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2).

Presence of RI was an independent risk factor for a centrifugal lesion pattern (RRR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.17-1.86, p=0.001). Moreover, a decrease in GFR by 10 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) was associated with an RRR of 1.08 for below-the-knee arterial disease (95% CI: 1.03-1.13, p=0.003).

Presence and severity of RI are independent predictors of a distal obstructive pattern in patients with symptomatic PAD.