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At least 865 records · Page 48Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Prevalence and major risk factors of reduced flow volume in lower extremities with normal ankle-brachial index in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the prevalence and major risk factors of reduced flow volume in lower extremities with normal ankle-brachial index (ABI) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We recruited 208 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients and 33 age-matched nondiabetic subjects (control group) admitted to our hospital. Thirty-two of the patients had low ABI (<0.90) and intermittent claudication (peripheral arterial disease [PAD] group), and 176 patients had normal ABI (>0.9) (non-PAD group). We evaluated flow volume and resistive index, as an index of arterial resistance to blood flow, at the popliteal artery using gated two-dimensional cine-mode phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Simple linear regression analysis showed a negative correlation between resistive index and total flow volume in the non-PAD group (r = -0.714, P < 0.001). We defined the means +/- 2 SD of these parameters in the control group as the normal range; abnormal resistive index was >1.017, and abnormal flow volume was <50.8 ml/min. The non-PAD group was divided according to the levels of these parameters: 80 patients had both normal resistive index and normal flow volume (normal group); of 96 patients with higher resistive index, 63 had normal flow volume (borderline group) and 33 had reduced flow volume (reduced group). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the major risk factors for reduced flow volume were age, hypertension, and diabetic nephropathy (r(2) = 0.303, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of patients without PAD with reduced flow volume in the lower extremities was 16% (n = 33) and comparable with that of patients with PAD with intermittent claudication (n = 32), suggesting that increase in arterial resistance to blood flow may be one of the major causes of lower extremity arterial disease in Japan.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Anatomic and hemodynamic changes in the venous vascular bed in the lower extremities with chronic venous insufficiency].

The authors paid attention to revealing as precisely as possible anatomical and haemodynamic conditions in venous vascular bed in the course of ultrasonographic examination of 309 lower extremities with clinical manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). A combined reflux in the superficial and deep venous system (53.7%) or isolated reflux in superficial veins (25.9%) proved to be the most frequent pathogenic bases of CVI. Pathophysiology of varices was mostly based on the venous reflux and the primary idiopathic CVI was mostly present (98.1%). The post-thrombotic partial obstruction of the deep venous system (post-thrombotic venous changes on the walls) was demonstrated exceptionally (1.9%). A high coincidence of reflux in the deep and superficial venous system points out to s.c. secondary reflux in the deep veins originating on the basis of primary reflux in the large or small saphena. An attempt was made to clarify, whether the development and frequency of incompetent perforators is directly connected with the presence and seriousness of reflux in the large and small saphena. The presence and severity of large saphena insufficiency does not univocally indicate the presence of dilated or insufficient perforators on the medical side of the crus, where these anastomoses are present most frequently. The large saphena is a long vein typically suffering from segmental insufficiency, i.e. reflux affecting a certain portion, whereas other parts of the vein may be fully competent. Anatomical venous variability and abnormalities on lower extremities were demonstrated in every fifth extremity (62 extremities, 20.1%). Most of them concerned large saphena (39 extremities, 62.8%), small saphena being second (15 extremities, 25.2%). Other anatomical deviations occurred sporadically as solitary findings. In the large saphena, duplication was present most frequently (54.8%). Insufficient variable superficial veins and anatomical venous anomalies were mostly not the only pathogenic basis of CVI, but were predominantly associated with insufficiently in the area of deep veins and perforators (84%). In our cohort there were altogether 55 extremities (17.8%) after the operation on superficial venous system, where relapses of varices were found. The causes of post-operation relapse of varices may be divided into three groups: 1. insufficiency of the large saphena, 2. insufficiency of the small saphena and 3. insufficiency of the deep veins. A combined simultaneous insufficiency in several venous systems was found most frequently (27 extremities, 49.1%). Even though the reflux in the deep veins was demonstrated in 50.9% of these extremities, a combination with the reflux in superficial veins and perforators (49.1%) was present with the exception of one case of isolated insufficiency. The insufficiency of the large and small saphena was clearly the leading single causes (15 extremities, 27.3%) of varix relapses. The patients should never be operated on the venous system of lower extremities without previous detailed ultrasonographic examination. It is the only way to increase probability of the operation success and to decrease the risk of relapses of CVI manifestations.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1995

The costs of diabetes-related lower extremity amputations in the Netherlands.

Diabetes mellitus is a common problem in the Netherlands and in the rest of the world. A complication seen in association with diabetes is peripheral neuropathy which can lead to lower extremity amputation. The purpose of this study is to identify the duration of hospital stay and the direct costs associated with diabetes-related lower extremity amputations in the Netherlands in 1992. Total direct costs included costs associated with hospital stay and the average procedure specific costs (surgeons' fees, anaesthetists' fees, and operating room fees) for the specific level of amputation. In the Netherlands in 1992, 1575 hospitalizations for 1810 diabetes-related lower extremity amputations occurred. The total number of days in the hospital for the diabetic population was 65,778 days with a mean of 41.8 days per hospitalization. Mean costs associated with diabetes-related hospitalizations for amputation were pounds 10,531 (Dfl. 28,433) per hospitalization. Persons who underwent multiple amputations during their hospitalization stayed in the hospital longer and the costs associated with these hospitalizations were higher when compared to hospitalization with a single amputation. An increase in length of stay and costs with increasing age and higher level of amputation was identified.

Amputation, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (becaplermin) for healing chronic lower extremity diabetic ulcers: an open-label clinical evaluation of efficacy.

Topically applied recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (becaplermin) is a new pharmacologically active therapy for chronic, neuropathic, lower extremity diabetic ulcers. In previous studies, becaplermin gel was administered once daily but dressings were changed twice daily. In the present study of 134 patients with diabetes mellitus and full thickness lower extremity ulcers, dressings were changed only once per day, simplifying the treatment regimen. Efficacy criteria included the percentage of patients achieving complete healing within the 20-week treatment period, the time to achieve complete healing, the rate of ulcer recurrence during the 6-month period following healing, and treatment compliance. Complete healing of ulcers was achieved in 57. 5% of patients, with a mean time to closure of 63 days and a recurrence rate of 21% at 6 months. Of the potential factors affecting ulcer healing, only drug compliance (p < 0.001), dressing compliance (p < 0.01), the presence of infection (p < 0.01), baseline ulcer area (p < 0.05), and baseline total wound evaluation score (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with healing. Results of this study further confirm the efficacy and safety of becaplermin gel for the treatment of lower extremity diabetic ulcers.

Becaplermin↗
PubMed2006

Intratester and intertester reliability of clinical measures of lower extremity anatomic characteristics: implications for multicenter studies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether multiple examiners could be trained to measure lower extremity anatomic characteristics with acceptable reliability and precision, both within (intratester) and between (intertester) testers. We also determined whether testers trained 18 months apart could perform these measurements with good agreement. SETTING: University's Applied Neuromechanics Research Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen, healthy participants (7 men, 9 women). ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Six investigators measured 12 anatomic characteristics on the right lower extremity in the Fall of 2004. Four testers underwent training immediately preceding the study, and measured subjects on 2 separate days to examine intratester reliability. Two testers trained 18 months before the study (Spring 2002) measured each subject on day 1 to examine the consistency of intertester reliability when testers are trained at different times. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Knee laxity, genu recurvatum, quadriceps angle, tibial torsion, tibiofemoral angle, hamstring extensibility, pelvic angle, navicular drop, femur length, tibial length, and hip anteversion. RESULTS: With few exceptions, all testers consistently measured each variable between test days (intraclass correlation coefficient>or=0.80). Intraclass correlation coefficient values were lower for intertester reliability (0.48 to 0.97), and improved from day 1 to day 2. Intertester reliability was similar when comparing testers trained 18 months before those trained immediately before the study. Absolute measurement error varied considerably across individual testers. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple investigators can be trained at different times to measure anatomic characteristics with good to excellent intratester reliability. Intratester reliability did not always ensure acceptable intertester reliability or measurement precision, suggesting more training (or more experience) may be required to achieve acceptable measurement reliability and precision between multiple testers.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Compression syndromes in chronic venous insufficiency of lower extremities].

Results of examination and surgical treatment of 77 patients with severe forms of chronic venous and lymphovenous insufficiency of lower extremities were analyzed. The compression syndrome concept and its role in pathogenesis of severe forms of chronic venous and lymphovenous insufficiency of lower extremities were determined. There was elaborated the tactics of complex treatment of patients, application of which had permitted to achieve the trophic ulcers healing in 98% operated patients, previously considered noncurable.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2000

The growth of the upper and lower extremities of Turkish fetuses during the fetal period.

Prenatal analysis of the fetal structures gives us information about fetal growth and gestational age. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphologic structure of the upper and lower extremities of Turkish fetuses during the fetal period, to measure the morphometric values, and to determine the relationship between CRL (crown-rump length) and growth of the foot. In this study, 106 human fetuses (56 males, 50 females) without external anomalies and aged between 10-40 post-menstrual weeks (PMW) were studied. In the upper extremity, the width of shoulder and the length of the arms, forearms and hands were measured. In the lower extremity, the width of the iliac crest, knee condyles, feet, and heels and the length of the thighs, legs and feet were measured. A significant correlation was found between all parameters taken within the fetal period and PMW (p < 0.001). Statistically significant correlations found between foot-growth measurements and fetal parameters indicate that foot length may be a good predictor of age. The measurements of the upper and lower extremities during fetal period are a reliable parameter for use in the assessment of gestational age. These measurements are particularly useful when other parameters do not accurately predict gestational age in some cases such as hydrocephalus, anencephaly, short-limb dysplasia. Our opinion is that the measurements can be useful to assess gestational age in several fields such as anatomy, pathologic anatomy (fetopathology), forensic medicine, medical imaging, obstetrics and pediatrics.

Crown-Rump Length↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography for visualization of lower extremity arteries.

Objective vascular assessment is frequently required before microvascular reconstruction involving the lower extremities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for preoperative assessment before free flap surgery. Five patients underwent preoperative MRA: one before fibula harvest for oromandibular reconstruction, and four before muscle free flap reconstruction of the lower extremity. In all patients, the tibioperoneal trunk, anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and peroneal arteries were well visualized to the ankle, including pathological occlusions. The radiographic findings were demonstrated at surgery and were confirmed to be accurate. These findings facilitated and guided the surgical procedure. This study strongly suggests the accuracy and surgical relevance of MRA before free flap surgery. MRA is desirable over angiography because of its noninvasive nature. It may also be better than ultrasonography because the latter is highly dependent on the technician (particularly in identifying the peroneal artery). MRA may likely replace angiography as the objective procedure of choice before microvascular surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence of foot pathology and lower extremity complications in a diabetic outpatient clinic.

Multiple risk factors interplay in the formation of foot ulceration and/or limb amputation in the diabetic patient. This study defines the prevalence of foot pathology, lower extremity complications, and known risk factors for ulceration in a cross-sectional analysis of 92 diabetic patients in a Veterans Affairs Metabolic Clinic. Sixteen percent of patients had a history of lower extremity complications including pedal ulceration and/or amputation, previously requiring 1480 hospital days of care. Sixty-eight percent of patients had structural pathology in the foot, including: 51 percent callus, 32 percent hammertoes, 8 percent bunions, and 1 percent Charcot foot. Thirty-four percent of patients were insensate, while 25 percent had autonomic neuropathy. Twenty-two percent of patients had atherosclerosis obliterans as defined by an ankle brachial index less than 0.9; 13 percent suffered from intermittent claudication. The following pathologies were significantly more prevalent in diabetic patients with a history of ulceration and/or amputation compared to those patients without ulceration or amputation: hammertoe deformity (p less than .0001), abnormal cutaneous pressure sensation (p less than .05), abnormal R-R interval (p less than .05), intermittent claudication (p less than .05), and abnormal ankle brachial index (p less than .05). An important finding was that 41 percent of insensate patients were not aware of their sensory deficit. In addition, two-thirds of the patients with vascular disease had palpable pulses. All patients with diabetes should be entered into a basic foot education program. The high prevalence of lower extremity pathology coupled with the inadequacy of history and physical examination in detecting neuropathy and vascular disease emphasize the need for vigorous screening to determine whether patients are at high risk of ulceration/amputation. These patients should be entered into aggressive prophylactic treatment programs.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Early predictors for lower extremity amputation in a diabetic population: results of a case-controlled study.

Lower extremity amputation is devastating to any person and is a very real complication for a diabetic. Identifying early risk factors is tantamount to saving a limb. This study used the national hospital discharge survey to identify 2206 control patients and 2098 diabetic patients with a lower extremity amputation. These patients were not limited based on gender or race as in previous studies. The results show that nephropathy and retinopathy are early predictors.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2007

Reproduction of the lumbar lordosis: a comparison of standing radiographs versus supine magnetic resonance imaging obtained with straightened lower extremities.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates whether it is possible to reproduce the lumbar lordosis in the upright position during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by positioning the patient supine with straightened lower extremities and investigates intra- and interexaminer reliability of measurements of the lumbar lordosis on radiographs and MRI. METHODS: This was an observational study, which included an intra- and interexaminer reliability study. The lumbar lordosis was measured digitally on radiographs taken from 22 patients in an upright standing position, and 22 MRI scans of the same patients lying supine with straightened lower extremities. These measurements were compared statistically. Intra- and interexaminer reliability was calculated applying the Bland and Altman method. RESULTS: The lumbar lordosis in the standing position was reproduced in the straightened supine position with a median deviation of 3 degrees . Intra- and interexaminer reliability was better for MRI than for radiographs. The mean differences were close to 0, especially for interexaminer reliability during MRI. On radiographs, there was a higher agreement on interexaminer than on intra-examiner reliability. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that lumbar lordosis in the upright position can be reproduced by positioning the patient supine with straightened lower extremities.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Creation of a neo-aortoiliac system from lower extremity deep and superficial veins.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the morbidity, mortality, and intermediate term follow-up of patients undergoing replacement of their aortoiliac-femoral systems with lower extremity deep and superficial veins. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The most commonly used treatment for aortic prosthetic infection is ectopic bypass and removal of the prosthesis. The overall mortality rate with this approach is approximately 20%, with an amputation rate of 10% to 14%. Other limitations include thrombosis of the ectopic bypass leading to limb loss, reinfection of the ectopic bypass, and aortic stump blowout. Dissatisfaction with this approach has led the authors to develop the following. METHODS: A neo-aortoiliac system (NAIS) was fashioned from lower extremity deep veins (DV), greater saphenous veins (GSV), or both in patients with infected aortobifemoral prosthesis (n = 17) and other complex aortic problems (n = 3). Removal of infected prosthetic material, harvest of vein, and creation of NAIS was performed as a single-staged procedure. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality and amputation rates were 10% each. The mean (+/- standard deviation [SD]) operative time was 6.5 +/- 1.8 hours and the blood transfusion requirement was 4 +/- 3 units. Four patients experienced postoperative gastrointestinal complications with peritonitis and sepsis; NAIS vein graft resisted infection and remained intact. The mean follow-up time was 22.5 +/- 16 months. NAISs constructed from GSVs were prone to the development of focal stenoses requiring intervention or diffuse neointimal hyperplasia leading to occlusion. In contrast, all NAISs from larger caliber DVs have remained widely patent. The failure rate of GSV NAISs was 64%, compared to 0% for DV NAISs (p = 0.006). Despite the high failure rate in patients with GSV NAISs, none has required amputation. In patients who had DVs harvested for NAIS reconstruction, limb edema and other signs of venous hypertension have been minimal. CONCLUSION: NAIS reconstruction from lower extremity veins is a successful option in patients with extensive aortic prosthetic infection and other complex aortic problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Should balloon angioplasty and stents have any role in operative intervention for lower extremity ischemia?

Balloon angioplasty has been combined with open vascular surgery to treat lower extremity ischemia due to multilevel occlusive disease. The purposes of this study were: (1) to compare staged and simultaneous approaches to determine the optimal method for combining endovascular and open techniques and; (2) to assess the role of stents in intraoperative balloon angioplasty. Among 274 patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization over 30 months, 38 (13.9%) required a combination of endovascular and open techniques; 17 were staged (endovascular followed at an interval by distal open surgery) and 21 were simultaneous (intraoperative balloon angioplasty with or without stent placement at the time of open surgery). Groups were similar with respect to demographics, lesions treated with endovascular intervention, incidence and location of stent placement, and results of surgery. Additional operating time required for intraoperative endovascular intervention was 41.0 +/- 30.7 min., fluoroscopic time was 3.9 +/- 2.4 min. and contrast administered was 58.8 +/- 28.1 ml. There was no perioperative mortality. Length of stay was longer in the staged than in the simultaneous group (p < 0.01). Cumulative combined primary patency at 1 year by life-table methods was 82 +/- 10% in the staged group and 83 +/- 9% in the simultaneous group (p = 0.79). Mean follow-up was 13 +/- 6 months. There is a role for balloon angioplasty and stent placement in operative revascularization of ischemic limbs in selected patients: patency was similar to that produced with the staged approach while the length of stay was shorter. Intraoperative balloon angioplasty is safe and effective and stents permit a measure of control in assuring an optimal intraoperative postangioplasty result.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Use of PGE1 in severe ischemia of the lower extremities. Clinical study].

Lower limb critical ischemia is a clinical condition typical of patients with severe chronic obstructive arterial disease (Fontaine's IIIb and IV degree). This condition often leads to amputation of the limb involved. The authors present to the use PGE1 in 50 patients with Fontaine's IIIb-IV degree chronic obstructive arterial disease of lower limbs in which the indication of amputation was done. All the patients, admitted to the emergency ward, complain of rest pain and distal ulcers. The administration of PG5(1) was given as follows: 40 mg/bid/e.v./20 days. A 6 months long follow-up was installed with the instrumental evaluation of: Transcutaneous oxygen pressure; Distal blood perfusion with Doppler; cardiac pulse; blood pressure. Eighteen patients became to a Fontaine's II degree during the next 2 months after therapy, 25 patients came back to a severe claudicatio: of them 18 underwent successfully vascular surgery, 7 underwent amputation of the lower limb. In 7 patients the PGE1 did not influence the natural progression of the disease. Among the side-effects of therapy we can mention: headache (4%), erythema and pain of injected vein (8%), sick (4%). All the side effects were transient and never led to interruption of therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Potential economic benefits of lower-extremity amputation prevention strategies in diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the potential economic benefits of selected strategies from published literature--educational interventions, multidisciplinary clinics, and insurance coverage for therapeutic shoes--to reduce the incidence of lower-extremity amputation among individuals with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We developed a model to estimate the expected incidence and associated costs of lower-extremity amputation in a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 people with diabetes. Prevention strategies were assumed to be targeted at individuals with a history of foot ulcer, and benefits were estimated over a period of 3 years. RESULTS: The total potential economic benefits (discounted at 5%) of strategies to reduce amputation risk ranged from $2.0 to $3.0 million ($2,900 to $4,442 per person with a history of foot ulcer) over 3 years. Benefits were highest for educational interventions. Most benefits were found to accrue among individuals aged > or = 70 years. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to reduce the risk of lower-extremity amputation may generate substantial economic benefits and should be a standard component of routine diabetes care. Benefits may best be achieved through a partnership of government, private payers, health care service providers and producers, and individuals with diabetes.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Outcome of lower-extremity revascularization in patients younger than 40 years in a predominantly diabetic population.

OBJECTIVE: Incidence of perioperative complications is increased and outcome is poor in young patients undergoing vascular surgery. We extensively reviewed results of lower-extremity procedures in this group of patients to further define the extent of short-term and long-term morbidity. METHODS: Results from our vascular registry were retrospectively reviewed for 76 lower-extremity revascularization procedures performed between January 1990 and May 2000 in 51 patients younger than 40 years. This represents 1.88% of 4052 lower-extremity bypass procedures performed during this period. Perioperative cardiac complications, long-term survival, graft patency, and limb salvage were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated, and their significance was determined with the Cox-Mantel test. RESULTS: Forty-nine percent of patients were male, and 51% were female; mean age at presentation was 35.9 years (range, 27.5-39.8 years). Preoperative morbidity included diabetes mellitus (96.1%), smoking (70.6%), hypertension (78.4%), coronary artery disease (37.3%), hyperlipidemia (33.3%), and renal dysfunction (52.9%). Overall rate for 30-day postoperative mortality was 0.0%, for myocardial infarction was 0.0%, and for congestive heart failure was 1.32%. Thirty-day graft failure was 11.1% (n = 9). At 1 year, primary patency was 71.0%, secondary patency was 82.5%, and limb salvage was 87.1%; and at 5 years these rates were 51.9%, 63.4%, and 77.2%, respectively. After the initial surgery 11.8% (n = 6) of patients required at least one additional ipsilateral revascularization procedure, 31.3% (n = 16) required a bypass graft in the contralateral limb, and 23.5% (n = 12) ultimately required amputation. In patients who required additional ipsilateral procedures, 1-year primary patency rate was 66.7%, secondary patency rate was 62.5%, and limb salvage rate was 77.8%, compared with 5-year rates of 44.4%, 41.7%, and 64.8%, respectively, representing a decrease in patency compared with primary revascularization procedures. Overall survival at 1 year was 88.2%, compared with 73.3% at 5 years. Patients with preexisting renal disease had significantly decreased survival at 5 years compared with those without renal dysfunction (64.5% vs 82.6%; P =.019). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that age younger than 40 years is not associated with increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. However, these patients have a significant rate of early graft failure and dismal long-term survival, especially in patients with preexisting renal dysfunction. In addition, ipsilateral repeat operations have a marginal success rate.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Risk factors for lower extremity injury: a review of the literature.

Prospective studies on risk factors for lower extremity injury are reviewed. Many intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors have been implicated; however, there is little agreement with respect to the findings. Future prospective studies are needed using sufficient sample sizes of males and females, including collection of exposure data, and using established methods for identifying and classifying injury severity to conclusively determine additional risk factors for lower extremity injury.

Age Factors↗