Role of percutaneous catheter-directed thrombolysis in acute limb ischemia: predictors of outcome

Objectives
Acute thrombotic ischemia is a very dangerous limb-threatening and life-threatening disease. It is better treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis. Now, tissue plasminogen activator like alteplase is safer than streptokinase or urokinase. The current study is designed to show its efficacy and safety and to investigate variables that correlate with outcome.
Patients and methods
This is a prospective cohort study. It included patients with acute thrombotic limb ischemia. Excluded ones were acute ischemia due to embolism, trauma, arterial dissection, complicated aneurysm, bleeding risk, history of recent intracranial bleeding, massive gangrene, or uncontrolled hypertension. The study is approved by ethical committee of Beni-Suef University. Primary end points were technical success, clinical success, and limb salvage. Secondary end points were procedural complications.
Results
A total of 36 patients were enrolled in the study from March 2019 to February 2020 in Beni-Suef University Hospital. It included 21 (58.33%) male patients. The patients’ mean age was 58.42 years and mean BMI was 31.56 kg/m. Risk factors were smoking in 15 (41.67%) patients, diabetes mellitus in 16 (44.44%) patients, hypertension in 15 (41.67%) patients, ischemic heart disease in nine (25%) patients, and hyperlipidemia in 14 (38.89%) patients. Clinical presentation showed that 16 (44.44%) patients were in Rutherford IIa category and 20 (55.56%) patients were in Rutherford IIb category. Limb salvage was achieved in 14/16 (87.5%) of patients in Rutherford IIa category and 12/20 (60%) of patients in Rutherford IIb category. Statistical analysis showed a correlation of BMI and severity of ischemia with outcome. Moreover, the frequency of risk factors was correlated with outcome.
Conclusion
Catheter-directed thrombolysis using alteplase is effective and safe to treat acute thrombotic limb ischemia. Its outcome is better with lower BMI, less severe ischemia, and less or no comorbid disease.