The Effects of Endovascular Timing and In-line Flow on the Success of Pedal Amputations

There has been a growing trend toward endovascular intervention to improve peripheral flow in patients with peripheral arterial disease. To date, there is no clear consensus regarding timing of lower-extremity amputations after revascularization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of timing between endovascular intervention and minor lower-extremity amputations and its influence on wound healing and limb loss within 1 year. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the impact of restoring in-line flow on healing rates. A total of 310 patients who underwent endovascular intervention and a minor lower-extremity amputation within 90 days were included in the study. Healing rates were defined as optimal, delayed, or failure. There was a statistically significant difference between patients with optimal healing to delayed healing and amputation ≥30 days after endovascular intervention (p = .037). We found no difference in healing rates in regard to amputation timing when examining patients who ultimately healed versus patients who failed to heal (p = .6717). Absence of in-line flow (p = .0177), male sex (p = .0090) and diabetes mellitus (p = .0076) were statistically significant factors for failing to heal. Presence of infection (p ≤ .0001) and wound dehiscence (p ≤ .001) were also associated with a failure to heal. End-stage renal disease trended toward significance for failing to heal (p = .065). Amputation-free survival at 1 year after endovascular intervention and pedal amputation was 76.8% (n = 238). Our findings suggest that in the absence of infection, performing minor lower-extremity amputations 15 to 60 days after endovascular intervention may allow for improved healing. Absence of in-line flow, male sex, diabetes mellitus, postoperative infection, and wound dehiscence are significant factors for failure.