Successful intra-arterial alteplase infusion is a predictor of 12-month limb survival in patients with lower limb arterial occlusion

AimTo determine the factors predicting amputation of the affected lower limb 12 months after thrombolysis for acute arterial occlusion.Materials and methodsThe clinical endpoints of 39 patients (24 men, 15 women; average age 69 years) 1 year after catheter-directed thrombolysis with alteplase (mean dose 30 mg, mean duration 24 h) for lower limb arterial occlusion (30 native arteries, nine grafts) from January 2001 to June 2005 were assessed. The amputation rate at 12 months was analysed in relation to the thrombolytic outcome, type of vessel occluded, presence or absence of complications, and subsequent requirement for additional surgery on an elective basis using Fischer's exact test.ResultsSuccessful thrombolysis, defined as complete clot dissolution based on angiographic imaging, was achieved in 64.1% of cases (19 native artery, six bypass graft) with a total complication rate of 23% (n = 9). The incidence of major haemorrhage was 7.5% (n = 3, hypotension and haematemesis, groin haematoma and hypotension, haematemesis). No patient had an intracranial bleed. One year after thrombolysis, 28.2% (n = 11) had further surgery (bypass graft, fasciotomy, embolectomy) and the amputation rate was 20.5% (n = 8). Statistical analysis showed that the amputation rate was significantly higher for patients with failed compared with successful thrombolysis (p = 0.02). The amputation rates did not reach statistical significance in relation to native artery or graft occlusion, presence or absence of complications, and whether or not additional surgery was required.ConclusionSuccessful thrombolysis was a predictor for limb survival up to 12 months post-thrombolysis regardless of the type of vessel occlusion, presence of complications or additional surgical requirement.