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Prevention initiative reduced rate of major amputations in patients with PAD

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A prevention initiative focused on implementation of advanced endovascular therapies, peripheral arterial disease awareness programs and multidisciplinary wound-care protocols at a community hospital in Florida reduced the incidence of major amputations by 79% from 2010 to 2014, according to data presented at the International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy.

“Most PAD patients don’t undergo testing to analyze blood flow first, they just have a leg or foot amputated,” study researcher Julio Sanguily III, MD, a vascular surgeon with Martin Health System in Stuart, Fla., said in a press release. “In recent years, there has been a revolution in endovascular therapy, and we’re able to treat calcified and smaller vessels, meaning we can significantly improve blood flow and save limbs that once weren’t considered salvageable. And that saves lives.”

The amputation-prevention initiative at Martin Health System was centered on:

• Training: Physicians attended programs on advanced peripheral intervention techniques.
• Awareness: A PAD awareness program was launched to educate patients and referring physicians on diagnosis and treatment.
• Wound care: Multidisciplinary care with the Martin Memorial Wound Care Center was utilized to develop protocols and treatments to heal wounds in an attempt to prevent amputations.

The incidence of major amputations decreased from 24 in 2010 to five in 2014 (79% decline), whereas the number of patients evaluated by angiogram increased from 84 in 2010 to 500 in 2014. Amputation was performed in 29% of evaluated patients in 2010, 12% in 2011, 4% in 2012, 2% in 2013 and 1% in 2014, according to the release.

Reference:

Sanguily III J. Endovascular evaluation and treatment of patients with peripheral artery disease results in lower amputation rate. Presented at: International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy; Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2015; Hollywood, Fla.

Disclosure: Cardiology Today was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures.