Long-term outcomes of direct and indirect below-the-knee open revascularization based on the angiosome concept in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia.

Background: We compared long-term outcomes of isolated below-the-knee (BTK) bypass revascularization in diabetic patients presenting with critical limb ischemia (CLI) with and without achieving the bypass on the artery corresponding to the territory of the lesion based on the angiosome concept.

Materials: We analyzed outcomes of 58 consecutive CLI limbs of 54 diabetic patients presenting with tissue loss who underwent isolated BTK bypasses from 2003 to 2009 for crural occlusive arterial disease. Bypasses were classified into direct and indirect groups based on the angiosome concept, whether feeding artery flow to the site of ischemic tissue loss was achieved or not. We compared median ulcer-healing time, survival, primary patency, and limb salvage rates between both groups by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. Independent factors of major amputations were explored by univariate analysis. Variables with P < 0.2 in univariate analysis were submitted to multivariable analysis.

Results: Median ulcer-healing time was 56 ± 18 days in direct group (n = 36) and 112 ± 45 days in indirect group (n = 22, P = 0.01). There was no difference between both groups in terms of survival or primary patency. Limb salvage rate was significantly higher in direct group than in indirect group: 91% vs. 66% at 1 year, 65% vs. 24% at 3 years, and 58% vs. 18% at 5 years, respectively (P = 0.03). After multivariable Cox proportional analysis, independent factors associated with major amputation were end-stage renal disease (P = 0.030) and C-reactive protein level (P = 0.025).

Conclusions: Achieving a direct arterial flow based on angiosome concept in CLI diabetic patients presenting with tissue loss appears to be important for ulcer healing and limb salvage.