Quality of Life and Ambulation Outcomes in Acute Limb Ischemia Patients
Recommended Citation
Kadiyala D, Dobesh K, Pairawan S, Shepard A, Natour AK, Nypaver T, Kabbani LS. Quality of Life and Ambulation Outcomes in Acute Limb Ischemia Patients. Ann Vasc Surg 2024; 100:272.
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
3-1-2024
Publication Title
Ann Vasc Surg
Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: Quality of life (QoL) assessment is critical for shared decision making in patients with critical limb ischemia but has been poorly studied in acute limb ischemia (ALI). We sought to assess patient-centered outcomes in ALI using the European QoL 5D-5L and the VascuQoL-6 surveys. Methods: A prospective database was created of patients presenting with ALI between May 2016 to July 2023. Variables collected included patient demographics, history, inpatient variables, outcomes, and ambulatory function at last follow-up. EQ-5D and VascuQoL-6 surveys were administered. Results: Among 236 eligible patients, 47 (20%) completed the surveys with an average age of 58.3; the majority were black males. Limb salvage rates for respondents were 93.6% at thirty days and 85% at one year. Functional status at last follow-up included: 26 (55%) patients with unhindered ambulation; 13 (28%) with limited ambulation; 5 (11%) who were ambulatory with a prosthetic; 2 (4%) non-ambulatory after amputation and with 1 (2%) non-ambulatory without amputation.VascuQoL-6 scores significantly correlated with age (p=0.002), and ambulatory status (p=0.03) but not limb salvage (p=0.36 at 30 days and p=0.89 at 1 year). Similar findings were observed with the EQ-5D survey (p=0.02 for both age and ambulatory status). (Table 1) No association was found between QoL and Rutherford classification, causative factors, procedure type, or length of stay. [Formula presented] Conclusion: This data suggests that younger patients have worse QoL on follow-up. Reduced ambulatory function was also associated with poorer QoL scores; however, this was not necessarily associated with limb salvage. Regaining ambulatory function without pain or neurologic deficits, even if this required amputation with prosthetic rehabilitation, had a greater positive impact on well-being than actual limb salvage.
Volume
100
First Page
272
