Transitions of frailty after lower extremity interventions for chronic limb-threatening ischemia

Frailty is common among surgical patients and predicts poor surgical outcomes. This study aimed to analyze transitions in frailty state among patients undergoing lower extremity care for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

Between 2018 and 2022, all patients undergoing a primary intervention for CLTI (endovascular intervention [EV], bypass [BYP], major amputation [AMP]) or wound care were analyzed. Frailty was assessed by Vascular Quality Initiative-derived Risk Analysis Index. Frailty was defined as a Vascular Quality Initiative-derived Risk Analysis Index score of ≥35. Transition in frailty state between preoperative and follow-up measurement at 1 month and 1 year were analyzed. Patient characteristics leading to a transition in frailty state were analyzed using multivariable Cox regression analysis. Amputation-free survival (survival without AMP) and freedom from major adverse limb events (above-ankle amputation of the index limb or major re-intervention (new BYP graft, jump/interposition graft revision) were evaluated.

We included 1859 patients (56% male; mean age, 65 ± 11 years) who underwent either EV (52%), a BYP (29%), AMP (13%), or wound care (6%). Amon them, 25% were considered frail on initial evaluation (28%, 16%, 32%, and 30% EV, BYP, AMP, and wound care, respectively). At 30 days, overall frailty increased to 34%: 13% of patients moved from nonfrail to frail (9%, 18%, 22%, and 5% for EV, BYP, AMP, and wound care, respectively), and 4% of patients moved from frail to nonfrail (6%, 2%, 1%, and 0% for EV, BYP, AMP, and wound care, respectively). At 1 year, overall frailty increased to 40%: an additional 13% of patients shifted from nonfrail to frail (15%, 6%, 23%, and 8% for EV, BYP, AMP, and wound care, respectively), and 5% of patients shifted from frail to nonfrail (4%, 8%, 2%, and 0% for EV, BYP, AMP, and wound care, respectively). At 1 year, frailty increased by 28% in EV, 16% for BYP, 32% in AMP, and 43% in wound care. Frailty at baseline, 30 days, and 1 year was associated with a high Charlson's Comorbidity Index. Shifting to a frail state postoperatively was associated with decreased survival and a lower amputation-free survival at 1 year.

After major interventions for CLTI at 1 year, 27% of patients shift from a nonfrail to a frail state, and 9% of patients shift from a frail to a nonfrail state with differences across modalities in comparison to wound care, where 13% of patients moved from a nonfrail to a frail state, and none shifted from a frail to a nonfrail state. Shifting to a frail state after intervention is associated with poor outcomes and should be considered when evaluating and intervention in a patient with CLTI.