Female Patients Have More Reinterventions after Lower Extremity Revascularization for Peripheral Arterial Disease

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Peripheral Arterial Disease Research
• Sex Differences in Medicine

Background:

• Reinterventions are common after lower extremity revascularization (LER) for peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
• Previous studies suggested higher reintervention rates in females, but direct comparisons are limited.
• Understanding sex-based differences in LER outcomes is crucial for personalized treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare reintervention patterns and outcomes between males and females undergoing LER for PAD.
• To investigate potential sex differences in the frequency and necessity of reinterventions.
• To highlight disparities in LER treatment effectiveness based on sex.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 1,987 patients undergoing LER for PAD between 2013-2020.
• Comparison of perioperative and long-term outcomes, including reintervention rates, between males and females.
• Utilized Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess freedom from reintervention.

Main Results:

• Females were older and more likely to be Black; males had more coronary artery disease, diabetes, and renal insufficiency.
• No significant differences were observed in major amputation or mortality rates between sexes.
• Females showed a higher likelihood of undergoing two or more ipsilateral reinterventions (p=0.030).

Conclusions:

• Females with PAD undergoing LER experience a higher frequency of reinterventions compared to males.
• Despite increased reinterventions, major amputation and mortality rates remain comparable between sexes.
• Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of reinterventions in females versus males.