Ambulatory Status Over Time after Revascularization in Patients with Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia

Maintaining functional status through revascularization is a major goal in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Nevertheless, there is a lack of clarity on the impact of revascularization on mobility over time. This study examined ambulatory status over time after revascularization and predictors of ambulation loss in CLTI patients.

We used a clinical database established by the Surgical reconstruction versus Peripheral INtervention in pAtients with critical limb isCHemia study, a prospective, multicentre, observational study including patients with CLTI. The primary endpoint was mobility over time.

Of the 381 patients, the ambulatory proportion at baseline was 71%. The proportion gradually decreased, finally reaching 40% at 36 months. In non-ambulatory patients at revasacularisation, approximately 20-40% of patients achieved ambulation. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age, impaired mobility before CLTI onset and at revascularization, renal failure on dialysis, and WIfI clinical stage 4 were positively associated with ambulation loss at either specific or all time points, whereas male sex and surgical reconstruction were inversely associated with the outcomes at specific time points.

Mobility in the overall population gradually decreased, whereas the number of deceased patients increased. Advanced age, impaired mobility before CLTI onset and at revascularization, renal failure on dialysis, and WIfI stage 4 were associated with ambulation loss at almost all points after revascularization.