Cases and resources in vascular techniques

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) carries high risks of amputation and mortality. Beyond clinical factors, socioeconomic disparities can strongly influence outcomes by affecting access to care, timing of interventions, and follow-up: an issue amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines how regional socioeconomic status impacts post-revascularisation outcomes, highlighting key public health implications.

Intermittent claudication significantly affects quality of life, but the benefits of endovascular treatment remain uncertain. While paclitaxel-coated devices reduce restenosis, safety concerns emerged after a 2018 meta-analysis suggested higher long-term mortality. The SWEDEPAD 2 trial compared coated and uncoated devices to evaluate safety and patient-centred outcomes in infrainguinal revascularisation.

Pharmacist-led review improves best medical treatment (BMT) in patients with vascular disease. In 258 patients, it increased high-intensity statin prescribing and, among smokers, boosted nicotine replacement therapy and cessation service referrals. Antiplatelet therapy was unchanged. These interventions may enhance BMT adherence, reduce costs, and free specialist time, addressing persistent underprescription despite guideline recommendations.

This article proposes a consensus-based algorithm for endovascular treatment of chronic femoropopliteal lesions, detailing imaging, lesion preparation, and definitive therapies to guide personalised treatment.

This subgroup analysis of the IVUS-DCB randomised trial compared IVUS- versus angiography-guided DCB angioplasty in patients with femoropopliteal artery disease. The results? IVUS significantly improved 12-month outcomes — but only in complex lesions. Get the details and clinical implications in this focused publication review.

For patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), the optimal antiplatelet strategy after infrainguinal endovascular intervention remains uncertain. This study uses data from the Vascular Quality Initiative–Medicare-linked database (2011–2019) to compare the impact of dual vs. single antiplatelet therapy on amputation-free survival at 1 and 5 years.

This retrospective study evaluated the accuracy of three predictive models for post-amputation mobility in a real-world, disadvantaged population. Results showed significant discrepancies between predicted and actual outcomes, questioning the reliability of these tools outside their original development settings.

In patients with PAD and type 2 diabetes, semaglutide significantly improved walking distance, symptoms, and quality of life over 52 weeks, supporting its use in this high-risk population.

Sex-based differences in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are real — and often overlooked. This AHA scientific statement highlights key disparities in epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, and outlines priorities to improve care for all patients.

This retrospective two-center study evaluated the outcomes of cold-stored saphenous vein allografts (CSVAs) for hemodialysis access in 109 patients with end-stage renal disease. The results showed primary patency rates comparable to those of ePTFE grafts, with a lower risk of infection—supporting CSVAs as a promising alternative for vascular access in selected patients.