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Peripheral vascular intervention effective in women with lower extremity PAD
Peripheral vascular intervention yielded similar in-hospital mortality and MI rates in women and men with peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremity, concluded recent findings.
The aim of the study was to examine whether gender impacts outcomes in peripheral vascular interventions, given that these procedures are frequently performed to treat PAD.
The analysis included 12,379 patients, 41% of whom were women. Eligible participants underwent lower extremity peripheral vascular interventions at 16 facilities in Michigan between 2004 and 2009. The cohort included patients from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium PVI Registry.
The researchers adjusted for differences in baseline characteristics, procedural indications and comorbidities on the basis of gender as part of the multivariable propensity-matched analysis.
Women undergoing this procedure were older and more likely than men to have multilevel disease and critical limb ischemia.
Results of the propensity-matched analysis indicated that women had higher rates of vascular complications, transfusions and embolism than men.
In-hospital mortality rates, along with MI, stroke or transient ischemic attack rates were similar regardless of gender.
Women experienced a 91.2% technical success rate compared with 89.1% in men (P=.014). However, women also experienced more complications, which resulted in a similar rate of procedural success between the two groups (women, 79.1% vs. men, 81.6%; P=.08).
“Women represent a significant proportion of patients undergoing [lower extremity peripheral valve interventions], have a more severe and complex disease process, and are at increased risk for adverse outcomes,” the researchers wrote, adding that despite the complication rates, this intervention may be an effective treatment strategy for women with PAD in the lower extremity.
Disclosure: The researchers report financial disclosures with McKesson, Medtronic Cardiovascular and Pfizer.