IMPACT OF RISK-FACTORS ON LIMB SALVAGE AFTER ANGIOPLASTY IN CHRONIC CRITICAL LOWER-LIMB ISCHEMIA - A PROSPECTIVE TRIAL

The impact of various general risk factors on long-term results of per cutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in chronic critical lower lim b ischemia is poorly known. In a prospective trial 209 PTAs were perfo rmed in 103 consecutive patients with 117 limbs with chronic critical ischemia. The general risk factors that might affect the long-term res ults of PTA in this patient population were reviewed. Among the factor s that showed no statistical significance were all associated diseases , smoking history, and medication used. Of the various clinical chemic al parameters, only serum high density lipoprotein (S-HDL) cholesterol and plasma fibrinogen had a statistically significant influence on li mb salvage rate in Kaplan-Meier analysis. These parameters proved to b e significant determinants also in Cox multiple regression analysis wh en PTA target-vessel-related parameters (peripheral runoff and number of diseased vessels) were also included in the model. Cox model predic ts up to 86% one-year limb salvage for the ''good'' group (one to five diseased lower limb vessels/limb, S-HDL cholesterol > 0.78 mmol/L, pl asma fibrinogen < 4.9 g/L).