BackgroundThrombolysis is a common treatment for acute leg ischaemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different thrombolytic treatment strategies, and risk factors for complications.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of prospective databases from two vascular centres. One centre used a higher dose of heparin and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA).ResultsSome 749 procedures in 644 patients of median age 73 years were studied; 353 (47·1 per cent) of the procedures were done in women. The aetiology of ischaemia was graft occlusion in 38·8 per cent, acute arterial thrombosis in 32·2 per cent, embolus in 22·3 per cent and popliteal aneurysm in 6·7 per cent. Concomitant heparin infusion was used in 63·2 per cent. The mean dose of rtPA administered was 21·0 mg, with a mean duration of 25·2 h. Technical success was achieved in 80·2 per cent. Major amputation and death within 30 days occurred in 13·1 and 4·4 per cent respectively. Bleeding complications occurred in 227 treatments (30·3 per cent). Blood transfusion was needed in 104 (13·9 per cent). Three patients (0·4 per cent of procedures) had intracranial bleeding; all were fatal. Amputation-free survival was 83·6 per cent at 30 days at both centres. In multivariable analysis, preoperative severe ischaemia with motor deficit was the only independent risk factor for major bleeding (odds ratio (OR) 2·98; P <0·001). Independent risk factors for fasciotomy were severe ischaemia (OR 2·94) and centre (OR 6·50). Embolic occlusion was protective for major amputation at less than 30 days (OR 0·30; P = 0·003). Independent risk factors for death within 30 days were cerebrovascular disease (OR 3·82) and renal insufficiency (OR 3·86).ConclusionBoth treatment strategies were successful in achieving revascularization with acceptable complication rates. Continuous heparin infusion during intra-arterial thrombolysis appeared to offer no advantage.

BackgroundConsensus is lacking regarding intervention for patients with acute lower limb ischaemia (ALI). The aim was to study amputation‐free survival in patients treated for ALI by either primary open or endovascular revascularization.MethodsThe Swedish Vascular Registry (Swedvasc) was combined with the Population Registry and National Patient Registry to determine follow‐up on mortality and amputation rates. Revascularization techniques were compared by propensity score matching 1 : 1.ResultsOf 9736 patients who underwent open surgery and 6493 who had endovascular treatment between 1994 and 2014, 3365 remained in each group after propensity score matching. Results are from the matched cohort only. Mean age of the patients was 74·7 years; 47·5 per cent were women and mean follow‐up was 4·3 years. At 30‐day follow‐up, the endovascular group had better patency (83·0 versus 78·6 per cent; P < 0·001). Amputation rates were similar at 30 days (7·0 per cent in the endovascular group versus 8·2 per cent in the open group; P = 0·113) and at 1 year (13·8 versus 14·8 per cent; P = 0·320). The mortality rate was lower after endovascular treatment, at 30 days (6·7 versus 11·1 per cent; P < 0·001) and after 1 year (20·2 versus 28·6 per cent; P < 0·001). Accordingly, endovascular treatment had better amputation‐free survival at 30 days (87·5 versus 82·1 per cent; P < 0·001) and 1 year (69·9 versus 61·1 per cent; P < 0·001). The number needed to treat to prevent one death within the first year was 12 with an endovascular compared with an open approach. Five years after surgery, endovascular treatment still had improved survival (HR 0·78, 99 per cent c.i. 0·70 to 0·86) but the difference between the treatment groups occurred mainly in the first year.ConclusionPrimary endovascular treatment for ALI appeared to reduce mortality compared with open surgery, without any difference in the risk of amputation.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS Acute aortic occlusion is a rare, serious, and yet poorly investigated event. It can be caused by different aetiologies and be treated in many different ways. This investigation includes far more patients than all previous reports and can therefore report on time trends including long term survival with reporting of similar results for patient subgroups. Objectives: The aim was to study patients with acute aortic occlusion (AAO), a rare and life threatening event, in a population based cohort and the outcome of surgical treatment. Methods: The Swedish nationwide vascular database (Swedvasc) was used to identify cases, and the population registry to study long term survival. Variables associated with outcome were tested with the chi-square test and analysis of variance. Results: During the 21 year study period (1994e2014), 693 cases of surgical treatment for AAO were included, with a yearly incidence of 3.6 per million inhabitants. Mean AE SD age was 69.9 AE 11.2 years, 352 patients (50.8%) were women, and mean AE SD length of follow up was 5.2 AE 5.5 years. Most patients presented with bilateral acute limb ischaemia (596 patients, 86.0%). The aetiology of AAO was native artery thrombosis in 458 patients (66.1%), saddle embolus in 152 (21.9%), and occluded graft/stent/stent grafts in 83 (12.0%). The proportion of occluded grafts/stent/stent grafts increased during the study period (n ¼ 14 [6.7%] in 1994e 2000 vs. n ¼ 45 [17.4%] in 2008e2014; p < .001) with a simultaneous reduction of arterial thrombosis (n ¼ 149 [71.6%] in 1994e2000 vs. n ¼ 158 [61.2%] in 2008e2014; p <. 001). Major amputation above the ankle was performed in 39 patients (8.5%), and 140 patients died within 30 days of surgery (20.2%). Thirty day mortality rate was lower after occluded grafts/stents/stent grafts (eight patients [9.6%]) and higher after saddle embolus (47 patients [30.9%]); p < .001). There was a reduction in overall 30 day mortality over time (n ¼ 53 [25.5%] in 1994e2000 vs. n ¼ 40 [15.5%] in 2008e2014; p ¼ .007). Long term survival revealed significant differences between the subgroups, although the difference occurred early after the event (p < .001). Conclusions: Mortality after surgical treatment of AAO is improving over time, yet a significant mortality rate was observed throughout the study period. The proportion of AAO secondary to occluded grafts/stents/stent grafts increased over time.