Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on an academic vascular practice and a multidisciplinary limb
Elizabeth M Lancaster1, Bian Wu2, James Iannuzzi3
1Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, Calif.
Insights
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to resource conservation, impacting vascular surgery. Patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia faced more severe infections and amputations.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated aggressive resource conservation in healthcare.
- Vascular surgeons encountered significant challenges in managing high-risk patients during this period.
- Pre-pandemic care models were disrupted, potentially affecting patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of pandemic-related practice changes on patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).
- To assess changes in the severity of foot infections and amputation rates among CLTI patients.
- To highlight the need for focused care on vulnerable vascular disease subsets post-pandemic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of patient outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Comparison of foot infection severity and major limb amputation rates.
- Evaluation of practice changes implemented by vascular surgery departments.
Main Results:
- Patients with CLTI presented with more severe foot infections post-pandemic onset.
- A higher likelihood of major limb amputation was observed in CLTI patients compared to pre-pandemic data.
- These outcomes suggest a negative impact of pandemic-related healthcare adjustments on vulnerable populations.
Conclusions:
- Vascular surgery patient outcomes, particularly for CLTI, were adversely affected by pandemic resource conservation.
- Increased severity of infections and amputation rates underscore the vulnerability of these patients.
- Continued attention to specialized care for CLTI patients with limited access is crucial in the post-COVID-19 era.
Abstract:
With the aggressive resource conservation necessary to face the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, vascular surgeons have faced unique challenges in managing the health of their high-risk patients. An early analysis of patient outcomes after pandemic-related practice changes suggested that patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia have been presenting with more severe foot infections and are more likely to require major limb amputation compared with 6 months previously. As our society and health care system adapt to the new changes required in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 era, it is critical that we pay special attention to the most vulnerable subsets of patients with vascular disease, particularly those with chronic limb threatening ischemia and limited access to care.
More Related Videos
08:16High-Resolution Three-Dimensional Imaging of the Footpad Vasculature in a Murine Hindlimb Gangrene Model
Published on: March 16, 2022
07:25Predicting Amputation using Local Circulating Mononuclear Progenitor Cells in Angioplasty-treated Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia
Published on: September 22, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
01:26Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
01:26Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care