A Decade of Progress: Assessing Three Revascularization Strategies for Iliac Occlusive Disease Through a 580-Case,...

 Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a critical concern, particularly in the context of an aging population and escalating risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and smoking. PAD leads to significant morbidity and disability, imposing considerable healthcare and economic burdens. A detailed understanding of the functional outcomes of revascularization is essential as it influences the choice of therapeutic strategies. This is crucial for the patient-doctor dialogue, enabling informed decisions based on the benefits, risks, and costs associated with each option. This study specifically examines the effectiveness of various revascularization methods for iliac occlusive disease by analyzing factors such as procedural success rates, complication frequencies, long-term patency, and patient quality of life. By evaluating these characteristics, the study aims to guide surgeons in selecting the most appropriate treatment approach in modern vascular surgery.

A 10-year single-center retrospective analysis was conducted, examining 521 patients (580 interventions) from January 2009 to December 2018. Treatments included endovascular recanalization and stenting (endovascular treatment, EVT) (31.4%), hybrid surgical treatment (HST) (31.6%), and open surgical treatment (OST) (37.07%). The examined characteristics were primary patency, primary assisted patency, secondary patency, complications, and the degree of limb salvage.

The study assessed variables such as age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking status, chronic kidney disease, and anesthesiological risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade). Patency rates across the three methods were 92.4%, with thrombosis observed in 7.6% of cases. Assisted primary reconstructions, identified in the analysis, were few in number. Across the three revascularization strategies, a total of 41 interventions were undertaken to preserve the patency of the index reconstruction. In cases of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), the probability of losing patency is higher and occurs earlier. OST showed the longest patency duration (471.7±71.5 days), and EVT demonstrated consistent primary patency. Complications were the highest in OST, including five perioperative mortalities. Survival analysis revealed significant differences in patency between treatment methods, with EVT and HST showing better outcomes compared to OST, particularly in patients with CLTI.

By far, this is one of the largest studies done comparing all three revascularization strategies. Endovascular, surgical, and hybrid interventions should be considered complementary elements in the vascular surgeon's toolkit. However, in the presented study, endovascular and hybrid treatment appeared to produce better outcomes compared to open surgical treatment, especially in patients with CLTI. Keeping this in mind the surgeon should be able to provide a more optimal and personalized treatment for patients with chronic lower limb ischemia.