Surgical site infections (SSIs) of groin wounds are a common and potentially preventable cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in vascular surgery. Our aim was to define the contemporaneous rate of groin SSIs, determine clinical sequelae, and identify risk factors for SSI. An international multicentre prospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing groin incision for femoral vessel access in vascular surgery was undertaken over 3 months, follow-up was 90 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of groin wound SSI. 1337 groin incisions (1039 patients) from 37 centres were included. 115 groin incisions (8.6%) developed SSI, of which 62 (4.6%) were superficial. Patients who developed an SSI had a significantly longer length of hospital stay (6 versus 5 days, P = .005), a significantly higher rate of post-operative acute kidney injury (19.6% versus 11.7%, P = .018), with no significant difference in 90-day mortality. Female sex, Body mass index≥30 kg/m 2 , ischaemic heart disease, aqueous betadine skin preparation, bypass/patch use (vein, xenograft, or prosthetic), and increased operative time were independent predictors of SSI. Groin infections, which are clinically apparent to the treating vascular unit, are frequent and their development carries significant clinical sequelae. Risk factors include modifiable and non-modifiable variables.

Background The incidence of, and risk factors for, acute kidney injury (AKI) after endovascular intervention for peripheral artery disease (PAD) remain unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the proportion of patients who develop AKI and explore the risk factors. Methods Prospectively collected data on patients undergoing femoropopliteal endovascular intervention for symptomatic PAD across three vascular centres were analysed. The proportion of patients developing AKI (according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definition) within 48 h, and the proportion developing the composite Major Adverse Kidney Events (MAKE) endpoints (death, dialysis, drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate at least 25 per cent) at 30 days (MAKE30) and remains 90 days (MAKE90) were calculated. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess predictors of AKI, and the association between AKI and death. Results Some 2041 patients were included in the analysis. AKI developed in 239 patients (11.7 per cent), with 47 (2.3 per cent) requiring dialysis within 30 days, and 18 (0.9 per cent) requiring ongoing dialysis. The MAKE30 and MAKE90 composite endpoints were reached in 358 (17.5 per cent) and 449 (22.0 per cent) patients respectively. Risk factors for AKI were age, sex, congestive heart failure, chronic limb-threatening ischaemia, emergency procedure, and pre-existing chronic kidney disease. AKI, dementia, congestive heart failure, and major amputation were risk factors for medium-term mortality. Conclusion AKI is a common complication after intervention for PAD and is associated with medium-term mortality.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDSRecent literature has suggested that there may be an association between the use of paclitaxel based endovascular therapy (PTX) and medium term mortality. This was based on a number of randomised trials of patients with claudication. Owing to a number of limitations such as lack of inclusion of patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI), and no availability of patient level data or adjustment for medication dose, no definitive conclusions can be made. This cohort study reported on 2071 patients with either claudication or CLTI, and after multiple adjustments for well established risk factors, showed no association between PTX and mortality.Objective: Paclitaxel based drug coated balloons (DCBs) and drug eluting stents (DESs) may be associated with increased mortality in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), based on a recent metaanalysis. This study, however, had a number of limitations, which have been discussed at great length among the vascular community. The aim of this research was to assess the association between paclitaxel based endovascular treatment (PTX) in the femoropopliteal (FeP) segment and mortality, adjusting for relevant risk factors and including patients with chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of a prospectively maintained multicentre (three sites) database of patients with claudication or CLTI. Patients having FeP angioplasty between 1 January 2014 and 30 May 2019 with or without PTX were included. Survival was compared in Cox regression analyses adjusted for parameters of the Charlson comorbidity index. A separate nested case matched (based on each individual's Charlson index) analysis was performed to compare mortality rates between those who received PTX and those who did not. Results: A total of 2 071 patients were analysed: 966 patients (46.6%) were treated with PTX (952 [46%] had CLTI and 1 119 [54%] severe claudication [Rutherford stage 3]). Over a 24 month median follow up, 456 (22.1%) patients died. Using multivariable Cox regression, PTX was not associated with mortality (HR 0.94, p ¼ .46), even when assessed separately for those with intermittent claudication (HR 1.30, p ¼ .15) or CLTI (HR 0.81, p ¼ .060). In the case matched analysis (885 matched pairs of patients), PTX was not associated with mortality (HR 0.89, p ¼ .17). Paclitaxel dose and use of a DCB or DES were not associated with mortality in any subanalysis. Conclusion: When relevant risk factors were taken into account, there were no associations between PTX and mid term mortality in patients with PAOD.