Comparison of inhospital outcomes after open thrombectomy versus conservative therapy in patients with acute lower limb artery thrombosis and COVID-19

Abstract

Aim. Comparative analysis of inhospital outcomes after open thrombectomy versus conservative in patients with acute lower limb artery thrombosis and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Material and methods. In this retrospective, comparative study for the period from April 1, 2020 to December 1, 2021, 167 patients with acute lower limb artery thrombosis and COVID-19 were included. Depending on the treatment strategy, two following groups were formed: group 1  — open thrombectomy (n=136) + drug treatment (anticoagulant (unfractionated heparin) and antiplatelet (acetylsalicylic acid 125 mg 1 time per day) therapy; group 2  — only drug therapy (n=31). This group consisted of patients who refused surgical revascularization. In all cases, a psychiatrist examined for personality disorders that did not allow a critical assessment of their condition and the consequences of refusing surgical treatment. At admission to the hospital, all patients received prophylactic-dose unfractionated heparin (5000 IU 3 times/day). In the development of acute arterial thrombosis, 80 IU/kg (maximum 5000 IU) of unfractionated heparin was administered intravenously, followed by transfer to intravenous infusion at an initial rate of 18 IU/kg per hour with the partial thromboplastin time monitoring. Analgesic and antiplatelet therapy (acetylsalicylic acid 125 mg 1 time/day) was also prescribed.Results. Myocardial infarctions, ischemic strokes were not recorded. There were no significant intergroup differences in mortality rates (group 1: n=52, 38,2%; group 2: n=7, 22,6%; p=0,09; odds ratio (OR)=2,12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0,85-5,27), limb amputation (group 1: n=63, 46,3%; group 2: n=9, 29,0%; p=0,07; OR=2,11; 95% CI: 0,9-4,91). However, there was a trend towards a decrease in the frequency of these events in the conservative therapy group. After open thrombectomy, retrombosis developed in 50,7% (n=69) of cases, whilethrombosis after retrombectomy followed by amputation  — in 46,3% (n=63). There were no hemorrhagic complications in both groups.Conclusion. Open thrombectomy with concomitant medical therapy and single conservative therapy without surgical revascularization in the present study showed comparable rates of death and lower limb amputations in patients with COVID-19.