Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Transferred for Treatment of Acute Limb Ischemia

Patients requiring emergent vascular surgery often undergo transfer from one facility to another for definitive surgical care. In this study, we analyzed morbidity and mortality in patients presenting for emergent lower extremity thrombectomy and embolectomy in the transferred and nontransferred populations.

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed utilizing the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database for all nonelective, emergent lower extremity embolectomy or thrombectomy (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] 34,201 and 34,203) performed between 2011 and 2014. Demographics, comorbidities, and 30-day complications, and outcomes were compared among patients presenting from home versus those presenting from another hospital, emergency department, or nursing home. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine the association between mode of presentation, major complications, and death.

We identified 1,954 patients who underwent emergent lower extremity embolectomy or thrombectomy. 40.7% (795 patients) were identified as transfer patients. Odds of transfer were significantly increased if a patient was functionally dependent (odds ratio OR 1.95, P < 0.001) or had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 1.348, P = 0.05). Odds of transfer were decreased if a patient was of a nonWhite race (OR 0.511, P < 0.001). 11.7% (229) patients in the described cohort died within 30 days of surgery. Those who died were more likely to present to the treating hospital as a transfer (56.3% vs. 38.6%, P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, transfer status was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (OR 1.9: 95% confidence interval CI 1.40-2.64; P < 0.001).

Patients transferred from an outside hospital or nursing home who present for emergent vascular procedures demonstrated increased mortality compared to those who present from home direct to the emergency department despite similar comorbid conditions. In addition, race was identified as an independent factor for transfer. Further studies are needed to understand the complex interactions between inter-hospital transfer patterns, emergency vascular surgery presentations, and racial biases to improve outcomes for this population.