Long-term results of revascularization of the lower extremities in patients with critical ischemia and diabetes mellitus with localization of the occlusive-stenotic process in the femoral artery

Abstract

Aim: to determine the most preferable tactics of surgical treatment of patients with critical ischemia of the lower extremities of atherosclerotic genesis and diabetes mellitus based on a comparison of the results of revascularizing interventions. Methods: The study involved 82 patients who were treated in the department of vascular surgery due to critical ischemia of the lower extremities as a result of atherosclerotic occlusive-stenotic lesion of the femoral arterial segment against the background of diabetes mellitus. After the diagnostic stage and preoperative preparation, the patients were divided into two groups depending on the nature of the intervention performed: endovasal revascularization or femoropopliteal autovenous bypass grafting above the knee joint gap. In the postoperative period, dynamic observation of patients was continued with a predominant assessment of the clinical status. Results: Clinically, circulatory decompensation requiring repeated intervention or amputation was observed in 9 (30 %) patients from the first group and in 13 (25 %) patients from the second. High amputation was performed in 2 (6.6 %) study participants from the endovasal revascularization group and 3 (5.7 %) from the open surgery group. Over the entire observation period, 2 (6.7 %) and 4 (7.8 %) patients died in the groups under consideration, respectively. No statistically significant differences were obtained for any of the studied parameters, however, repeated interventions were significantly more frequently performed in patients undergoing endovascular revascularization. Conclusion: When analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of endovascular and open surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus and critical ischemia, the first should be preferred due to the possibility of repeated repetition throughout the patients life. Particular attention should be paid to conservative therapy and assessment of clinical status in the late postoperative period.