Comparison of open and endovascular procedures in patients with critical limb ischemia on dialysis

Peripheral artery disease is a common comorbidity in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but there is a paucity of data comparing outcomes of different interventions in this group of patients. In this study, we examined perioperative outcomes of lower extremity endovascular revascularization (ER) and open revascularization (OR) in dialysis patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI).

Patients on dialysis and undergoing ER and OR for CLI from 2011 to 2015 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset. Patient demographics, comorbidities, anatomic features, and perioperative outcomes were compared between ER and OR procedures.

From 2011 to 2015, 1021 lower extremity revascularizations were performed in dialysis patients with CLI. In this group, 535 were ER (53%) and 486 were OR (47%) procedures. Although demographic characteristics such as age and gender were similar between the two groups, there was a higher proportion of Caucasians and African Americans in the OR group. Patients undergoing open and endovascular procedures had similar rates of hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bleeding disorders. A minority of procedures (4%) were emergencies, which were distributed equally between the two groups. Preoperative aspirin usage was higher in the ER group (84% vs 78%; P = .024), beta-blocker use was higher in the OR group (79% vs 74%; P = .08), and statin use was similar between the two groups (72% in OR and 70% in ER; P = .54). On risk-adjusted multivariate analysis, OR was associated with a lower rate of major amputation (5.97% vs 11.78%; odds ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.85), but a higher rate of postoperative bleeding (29.6% vs 8.97%; odds ratio, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.8-4.35) and wound complications (15% vs 3%; odds ratio, 4.5; 95% CI, 2.38-8.3). The 30-day mortality and cardiovascular morbidity were similar between the two groups.

In patients with ESRD with CLI, OR is associated with a lower risk of major limb amputation but a higher rate of postoperative wound complications and bleeding, compared with ER. Cardiovascular complications, 30-day mortality, reinterventions and readmissions were similar between the two groups. In patients with ESRD with CLI, OR should be considered as an option for limb salvage if feasible. Long-term outcomes comparing the two types of procedures are needed.