Risk factors and ankle brachial indexes in cerebral infarction combined with peripheral arterial disease

BACKGROUND: Ankle brachial index (ABI) is widely involved in researches and clinical application of peripheral vascular injury of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM); however, the application in cerebral infarction (CI) is rare. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible risk factor of cerebral infarction plus peripheral arterial disease (PAD), compare metabolic characteristics of patients who having CI plus PAD or only having CI, and understand the significance of ABI on screening and diagnosing CI plus PAD of lower limb. DESIGN: Contrast observation based on CI patients. SETTING: Department of Neurology, Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 124 CI patients were selected from Department of Neurology, Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from July 2005 to April 2006, including 72 males and 52 females aged from 45 to 88 years. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of cerebrovascular disease established by National Academic Conference of Cerebrovascular Diseases in 1995 and determined as cerebral infarction with MRI or CT examination. All patients provided informed consent. There were 46 cases (37.2%) with CI plus PAD and 78 cases (62.8%) only with CI. METHODS: Blood pressure of bilateral ankles and upper extremities was measured at plain clinostatism with DINAMAP blood pressure monitor (GE Company). The ratio between average systolic pressure of lateral ankle and average systolic pressure of both upper extremities was regarded as ABI. The normal ABI was equal to or more than 0.9. If ABI < 0.9 occurred at one side, patients were diagnosed as PAD. On the second morning after hospitalization, blood was collected to measure fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (PBG2h), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Among them, blood glucose, lipid and other biochemical markers were measured with enzyme chemistry assay and HbA1c was measured with HbA1c meter based on high liquid phase. Measurement data and enumeration data were compared with t test and Chi-square test, and multiple factors were dealt with Logistic regression analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results of correlation between ABI and metabolic markers with multivariate linear regression analysis; risk factors of CI plus PAD with Logistic regression analysis; comparisons of metabolic markers between PAD and non-PAD patients. RESULTS: All 124 patients with acute CI were involved in the final analysis. ① Comparisons of metabolic markers: Levels of serum LDL-C and uric acid (UA) were higher of PAD patients than those of non-PAD patients (t =2.051 9, 3.339 1, P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences among other metabolic markers (P > 0.05). ② Results of multivariate linear regression analysis: PBG2h, LDL-C and UA were obvious correlation with ABI of posterior tibial artery of lower limb and dorsal pedis artery (partial regression coefficient = -0.231 to -1.010, P < 0.05). ③ Risk factors of CI plus PAD with Logistic regression analysis: Age, smoking history, sum of CI focus (≥3) and LDL-C were independent risk factor of CI plus PAD (OR =1.524-5.422, P < 0.05-0.01). CONCLUSION: ① Levels of serum LDL-C and UA of patients with CI plus PAD are high. ② ABI of lower limbs is correlation with PBG2h, LDL-C and UA. In addition, measuring ABI is beneficial for early diagnosing PAD of lower limbs of patients who have poorly controlled blood glucose, abnormal lipid and poor renal function. ③ Age, LDL-C and sum of CI focus (≥3) are independent risk factors of CI plus PAD. It is of significance for screening non-PAD patients to evaluate risk degrees and prognosis and select therapeutic methods based on ABI measurement.

New Approach to Measuring the Ankle and Toe Brachial Indices as New Markers for Early Detection of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease

Background: Lower extremity Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is caused by atherosclerosis, or Plaque buildup, that reduces the blood flow to the legs and feet. PAD affects approximately 230 million adults worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and leg amputation. The first-line method for diagnosis of PAD is the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI), which is the ratio of ankle to brachial higher systolic pressure measured in ankles and arms. The Toe Brachial Index (TBI), which is the ratio of the toe systolic pressure to brachial higher systolic pressure measured in both arms, is considered to be an alternative to the ABI in screening for PAD. The ABI and TBI are measured on the right and left side, and the lower of these numbers is the patient’s overall ABI and TBI. Clinical studies and meta-analysis reviews have shown that the conventional ABI measurement, which uses a cuff, and handheld sphygmomanometer and continuous-wave Doppler tracings, provides an acceptable-to-high specificity level but low sensitivity when compared with vascular color Doppler ultrasound, and/or angiography methods. Another study has shown that the TBI measurement has greater sensitivity but lower specificity than the ABI when compared with vascular color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic based on waveforms. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the VasoPad System comparing its results to the vascular color doppler ultrasound waveforms. Materials and Methods: The VasoPad System is an automated device using the pulse wave method to measure the arms and ankles dorsalis and tibial posterior artery blood pressures, the photoplethysmography second derivative (PTGSD) to estimate the toe systolic pressure, a patented photoplethysmography (PTG) index marker and volume plethysmography via cuffs during deflation. Vascular Color Doppler ultrasound can diagnose stenosis through the direct visualization of atherosclerosis or plaques and through waveform analysis. The vascular color Doppler ultrasound provides 3 waveform types. The type 1, triphasic waveform is normal blood flow and no atherosclerosis or plaque, the type 2, diphasic waveform is seen when there are atherosclerosis plaques, but normal blood flow, and the type 3, monophasic waveform reflects stenosis with diameter reduction > 50%. Results: The sum of the overall ABI and TBI VasoPad values, called Sum of Brachial Indices (SBI), gave a specificity of 88.89% and sensitivity of 100% for detecting vascular color Doppler ultrasound biphasic and monophasic waveforms versus triphasic waveforms with a cutoff ≤ 1.36 (P Conclusion: The VasoPad was useful for detecting PAD, which is fully defined as having vessel stenosis > 50% (Doppler monophasic waveforms) but also early stage of atherosclerosis plaque of the lower extremities (Doppler biphasic waveforms). The VasoPad method provided a remarkable sensitivity of 100% and a specificity level similar to those of the conventional ABI test method compared with the vascular color Doppler ultrasound. In addition to being useful to screen and detect PAD, the VasoPad offers early detection of lower extremity atherosclerosis, with normal blood flow (Doppler biphasic waveforms), which could provide greater treatment options and thus reduce the overall number of lower extremity complications.

Manifestation of lower extremity atherosclerosis in diabetic patients with high ankle-brachial index

Background The ankle brachial index （ABI） is a simple, inexpensive, noninvasive tool that correlates well with angiographic disease severity and functional symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify the manifestation of lower extremity atherosclerotic lesions in patients with high ABI by retrospective clinical study.Methods A cohort of 184 diabetic patients, （63±14） years old, 144 males, who underwent simultaneously ABI testing and low extremity arterial duplex ultrasound within one week, were enrolled randomly into this study. According to the ABI value, they were divided into three groups： the high, normal and low ABI groups. The severity and location of atherosclerotic lesions in the lower extremity were determined based on the results of low extremity artery duplex ultrasound. The chi-square test was used to compare the atherosclerosis severity grade and lesion location across the three groups.Results The prevalence of low extremity artery occlusion was significantly lower in the high ABI group than in the low ABI group （3.3% vs. 63.5%, P〈0.01）, and the main atherosclerotic lesions were diffuse dot-like hyperechogenicity spots or small plaques （86.7%）. In addition, the atherosclerotic lesions were mostly found in the distal segment of the lower extremity in patients with high ABI （46.3%）.Conclusion A high ABI may be an integrative marker for intimal and medial calcification, which has a high positive predictive value for artery calcification.

Observation of the effect of angiojet to treat acute lower extremity arterial embolization

BACKGROUND Through significant advances in the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease,acute ischemia of the lower extremity is still associated with significant morbidity,limb threat and mortality.The two main causes of acute ischemia in lower extremities are arterial embolism and atherosclerotic arteries.Timely recognition and treatment of acute limb ischemia in emergency situations is essential in order to minimize the duration of ischemia.AIM To investigate the application effect of angiojet thrombolysis in the treatment of acute lower extremity arterial embolization.METHODS Sixty-two patients with acute lower extremity arterial embolization admitted to our hospital from May 2018 to May 2020 were selected.Among them,the observation group(twenty-eight cases)had received angiojet thrombolysis,and the control group(thirty-four cases)had received femoral artery incision and thrombectomy.After thrombus clearance,significant residual stenosis of the lumen was combined with balloon dilation and/or stent implantation.When the thrombus removal was not satisfactory,catheter-directed thrombolysis was performed.The incidence of postoperative complications,recurrence rate and recovery of the two groups were compared.RESULTS There were no significant differences in postoperative recurrence(target vessel reconstruction rate),anklebrachial index and the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05);there were statistically significant differences in postoperative pain score and postoperative rehabilitation between the two groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The application of angiojet in the treatment of acute lower limb artery thromboembolism disease is safe and effective,minimally invasive,quicker recovery after operation,less postoperative complications,which is more suitable for the treatment of femoral popliteal arterial thromboembolism lesions.If the thrombus removal is not satisfactory,the combination of coronary artery aspiration catheter and catheterized directed thrombolysis can be used.Balloon dilation and stent implantation can be considered for obvious lumen stenosis.

Clinical effect of external counterpulsation combined with lipoic acid on patients with type 2 diabetic foot of grade 0-2

Objective:To analyze the clinical efficacy and safety of external counterpulsation combined with lipoic acid in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetic foot of grade 0-2.Methods:62 patients with diabetic foot from January 2019 to October 2020 were selected and divided into control group and external counterpulsation group according to different treatment schemes,31 cases in each group.The control group was given intravenous lipoic acid,and the external counterpulsation group was given external counterpulsation combined with intravenous lipoic acid.The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared,and the blood flow parameters,ankle brachial index and common peroneal nerve conduction velocity of the two groups before and after treatment were compared.Results:The total effective rate of the treatment group(93.54%)was significantly higher than that of the control group(48.38%)(P<0.05).After treatment,the vessel diameter of dorsalis pedis artery(2.552±0.024mm)and ankle brachial index(0.923±0.036)in ECP group were significantly higher than those in control group(1.864±0.020)and ankle brachial index(0.843±0.030)(P<0.05).After the control group and the external counterpulsation group were treated,the levels of serum of VEGF,bFGF、IGF-1(85.479±4.239,148.27±14.25,62.33±3.75;94.163±8.917,200.88±14.58,81.35±1.08)was significantly higher than that before treatment(57.264±0.801,106.44±3.83,30.90±0.42;57.133±0.850,106.78±3.69,31.01±0.56),the levels of MMP-2(2.035±0.08,1.417±0.21)after treatment in the control group and the external counter stroke group after treatment(2.035±0.08,1.417±0.21)was significantly lower than that after treatment.The levels of VEGF,bFGF and IGF-1 in ECP group were significantly higher than those in control group,and MMP-2 was significantly lower than that in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The clinical effect of external counterpulsation combined with lipoic acid in the treatment of type 2 diabetic foot with grade 0-2 is significant,which can effectively improve the blood flow parameters of dorsal foot artery,ankle brachial index and common peroneal nerve conduction velocity,with less adverse reactions.

Peripheral Arterial Disease among Patient Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis in Dakar (Senegal)

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is a surrogate marker of generalized atherosclerosis. In sub-Saharan Africa, PAD remains understudied in CKD. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a non-invasive and cost-effective tool to diagnose PAD. Objectives: Our aim was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for PAD in hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from July 1 to December 31, 2012 in the department of Nephrology of the University Hospital Aristide le Dantec of Dakar. All consenting patients, aged above 18 years, on hemodialysis for at least 6 months were included. ABI measurements were performed using a handled pulse doppler. PAD was defined as an ABI of <0.9 or the history of surgical revascularization and/or amputation due to vascular disease. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or not of PAD. Standard blood tests and anthropometrical parameters were recorded. Results: A total of 53 patients with a mean age of 49.15 ± 15.18 were included. The sex ratio was 0.70. Hypertension (83.01%), low HDL-cholesterol (26.41%) and cigarette smoking (20.75%) were the main cardiovascular risk factors. Prevalence of PAD was 47.16%. Among patients with PAD, 52% had no suggestive symptoms. Lower pre-dialysis (p = 0.0384) and post-dialysis (p = 0.0447) diastolic blood pressure (BP) were significantly associated with PAD. The conventional risk factors (tobacco consumption, diabetes, alcohol consumption, dyslipidemia, hypertension, age), iPTH and CRP levels were not correlated with PAD. Conclusion: PAD is common among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis in Senegal. Early diagnosis and management of PAD should be routinely performed in CKD patients.

Identifying at-risk foot among hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study in one Chinese tertiary hospital

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of diabetic at-risk foot and its associated factors.Methods:A total of 838 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes were screened for at-risk foot.Neural and vascular disorders were evaluated by assessing vibration perception thresholds and ankle brachial indexes (ABIs).After excluding 12 patients with abnormally high ABIs,remaining individuals with neural and/or vascular disorder were identified as at-risk patients and further classified into three subtypes:isolated neural disorder,isolated vascular disorder and mixed disorder.Potential associated factors were examined using Logistic regression models.Results:In the final sample of 826 individuals,the prevalence of diabetic at-risk foot was 30.6％.Among all at-risk patients,isolated neural disorders (69.6％) were more common than mixed (16.2％) or isolated vascular disorders (14.2％).Isolated neural and vascular disorders shared specific risk factors,including age per 20-year increment (odds ratio [95％ CI],3.73 [2.59-5.37] and 4.01 [1.98-8.11]),diabetic duration ≥10 years (1.69 11.13-2.54] and 3.29 [1.49-7.24]) and systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg (1.96 [1.31-2.93] and 2.90 [1.38-6.10]) respectively.In addition,isolated neural disorders were associated with a heavy smoking history (95％CI 2.69 [1.15-6.31]),increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (95％CI 1.30 [1.04-1.62]) and mild obesity (95％CI 0.49 [0.20-1.241).Isolated vascular disorders were linked with decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (95％CI 3.42 [1.31-8.96]) and increased triglycerides levels (95％CI 2.74 [1.26-5.97]).Conclusions:Diabetic at-risk foot is epidemic among hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes.Aging,long-term diabetes,hypertension,smoking,inflammatory response and dyslipidemia may be associated with the prevalence of diabetic at-risk foot.