Adverse events after treatment of patients with acute limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND

To assess the outcome and the occurrence and consequences of adverse events (AEs) after treatment of acute limb ischemia (ALI).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis on intra-arterial thrombolysis (group I) and thromboembolectomy (group II). Outcome measures were primary patency and limb salvage rates. AEs and consequences were registered during admission and 30 days after discharge.

RESULTS

A total of 238 procedures were included (group I, 173 vs. group II, 65). The primary patency (P = 0.144) and limb salvage rates (P = 0.166) were not significantly different between both groups. A total of 195 AEs were registered. Most AEs were procedure related and resulted in surgical reintervention (77% vs. 76%). Some AEs resulted in irreversible physical damage (15% vs. 25%) and death (6% vs. 12%).

CONCLUSIONS

Both, intra-arterial thrombolysis and thromboembolectomies are adequate therapies; however, they result in a wide variety of AEs resulting in serious morbidity and even death.