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Intermittent claudication.

The natural history of intermittent claudication is generally benign. Clear indications for revascularization in patients with intermittent claudication are rest pain and necrotic tissue. Disabling claudication in patients who are at low operative risk is another acceptable indication for surgical treatment. Young patients with intermittent claudication from aortoiliac occlusion constitute a subset of patients in whom a more aggressive approach is justified. Nevertheless, in most patients, the management of intermittent claudication should be conservative.

Female↗

Influence of clinical resources on the treatment of intermittent claudication.

Management of intermittent claudication varies between surgeons, even after adjustment for case-mix, and could be related to the availability of clinical resources. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether vascular surgeons perceived deficiencies in the resources available to them for the management of claudication and to determine whether an association existed between reported deficits and patient management. Over a six month period, 28 vascular surgeons in Scotland completed recording forms on their treatment intentions for 1,180 claudicants. Subsequently, the surgeons were interviewed about resources available for vascular surgery. The majority of surgeons reported deficiencies in resources, predominantly insufficient operating lists (71%) and staff shortages (71%). Although considered less important than clinical factors or patient wishes, resources were independently associated with treatment. Surgeons reporting insufficient operating lists were less likely to opt for surgical treatment (p < 0.05), and those working with reluctant or inexperienced radiologists were less likely to consider percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (p < 0.05) and more likely to offer surgery (p < 0.001). However, case-mix and resources explained only some of the variations in treatment. The residual variation was likely to reflect an underlying lack of agreement among surgeons on the most appropriate management of claudication. Randomised controlled trials to address this issue would be welcomed by the majority of surgeons questioned.

Angioplasty, Balloon↗

Quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication.

OBJECTIVE: As intermittent claudication (IC) infrequently progresses to limb loss many clinicians adopt a conservative approach to treatment. Recently percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been applied to patients with IC. If this were to become the first line treatment for IC it would have major implications in terms of hospital facilities as well as cost. A measure is required, therefore, to decide on rationing of limited financial resources. "Quality of life" may be more influential in determining demand on services since objective medical criteria cannot give an insight into the patients feelings of well being. DESIGN: We applied the Nottingham Health Profile, by post, to a group of claudicants and age/sex matched controls. 70% responded from both groups. Claudicants who had recently received intervention were excluded, as were controls complaining of any leg pains on walking. RESULTS: The results showed that claudicants have greater perceived problems in the areas of energy, pain, emotional reactions, sleep, and physical mobility compared to controls (p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney Test). This was reflected by a significantly greater positive response rate to problems with activities of daily living (0.05 > p > 0.02; Chi-square Test) in the claudicant group. CONCLUSION: Because of the cost and resource implications of introducing measures such as PTA to the treatment of vast numbers of patients with IC, we suggest that trials are needed to compare various treatments using quality of life measurements in addition to traditional efficacy/safety parameters.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Intermittent claudication--pathophysiological considerations.

Intermittent claudication is a non-pathognomic symptom elicited by an inbalance between the metabolic demands of the exercising skeletal muscle and its blood supply. In normal conditions hyperemia to the working muscles will be impaired during the exercise by mechanical compression of the microvessels. The resulting anaerobic metabolism will cause further vasodilatation. Both phenomena (exercise and reactive hyperemia) contribute to a maximal increase in local blood flow as soon as the exercise is stopped. If the local circulation is impaired by occluding arterial disease (eventually complicated by aggravating factors) the tolerance to skeletal work is lowered and the circulatory reserves are entirely exhausted as demonstrated by the ischemic exercise-test. In the case of a major obstruction and poor collateralisation, a "steel phenomenon" may occur. The pharmacotherapeutic possibilities to cope with in this situation are briefly discussed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Effect of surgery on the systemic inflammatory response to intermittent claudication.

The hypothesis that intermittent claudication initiates a systemic inflammatory response was investigated by studying the effect of exercise on markers of neutrophil activation and vascular permeability in 25 claudicants and 10 controls. Urinary albumin excretion, previously demonstrated to reflect vascular permeability, increased significantly after exercise in claudicants and was associated with decreased neutrophil filterability and increased serum lysozyme activity. No similar exercise-induced changes were seen in controls or in claudicants after successful arterial bypass surgery. These results suggest that intermittent claudication is associated with potentially deleterious systemic manifestations that are surgically reversible.

Aged↗

Vitamin C prevents endothelial dysfunction induced by acute exercise in patients with intermittent claudication.

In patients with intermittent claudication, exercise is associated with a marked increase in oxidative stress, likely responsible for systemic endothelial perturbation. In 31 claudicant patients, we assessed the effect of vitamin C administration on the acute changes induced by maximal and submaximal exercise in endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and in plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). In 16 claudicants, maximal exercise reduced FMD (from 8.5+/-0.9 to 3.7+/-0.8%, P<0.01), and increased plasma levels of TBARS (from 1.93+/-0.06 to 2.22+/-0.1 nmol/ml, P<0.02) and of sICAM-1 (from 282+/-17 to 323+/-19 ng/ml, P<0.01). In eight of these patients, randomized to vitamin C, exercise-induced changes in FMD and biochemistry were abolished. This beneficial effect was not observed in the eight patients randomized to saline. In 15 patients, who walked until the onset of claudication pain (submaximal exercise), and in ten control subjects, who performed maximal exercise, no changes were observed with exercise. Thus, in claudicants, vitamin C prevents the acute, systemic impairment in endothelial function induced by maximal exercise. This finding provides a rationale for trials investigating antioxidant therapy and cardiovascular risk in patients with intermittent claudication.

Antioxidants↗

Home-training of patients with intermittent claudication.

Fifteen patients with intermittent claudication but without angina pectoris underwent a training programme consisting of three months of home-training followed by three months of supervised in-hospital training. Detailed information and instruction preceded the start of the training. There was a significant increase in maximal walking distance and also in physical activity during the home-training period. There was no difference in the increase in walking distance between this group and an earlier, comparable, group that had undergone a similar period of supervised in-hospital training. A further significant increase in maximal walking distance was obtained after three months of supervised in-hospital training. The physical activity during leisure time was, however, not further increased. Smoking habits were affected. After one year, one out of twelve smokers had stopped smoking and eight had reduced their consumption by 30-75%. Home-training after a careful instruction and with control of results is an alternative to supervised in-hospital training for a large group of patients with intermittent claudication but without angina pectoris.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The effect of hemodilution upon patients with intermittent claudication.

Seventeen patients with stable intermittent claudication and a PCV of more than 0.45 were venesected until a PCV of 0.35 was achieved. Only patients that were not considered candidates for surgical treatment were entered into the study. Each patient acted as their own control and was studied twice before the venesection at a mean PCV of 0.49 then after achieving a PCV of 0.35 or less (mean PCV of 0.33), and finally one month after the last venesection (mean PCV of 0.37). Angina developed in one patient after the third venesection and was withdrawn from the study. In the remaining sixteen patients, blood flow of the calf muscle during exercise increased significantly after venesection from 5.90 to 8.84 milliliters per 100 grams per minute (p = 0.02). This was measured by xenon 133 clearance and a cadmium telluride detector. There was also a substantial decrease (p less than 0.001) in whole blood viscosity at both low and high shear stresses, but there was no change in plasma viscosity or plasma fibrinogen. Treadmill claudication distance improved in only two patients. Ten patients were tired when the PCV decreased to 0.35 and subjective claudication distance deteriorated in four of these patients. Subsequent isovolemic venesection with dextran 70 volume replacement to a PCV of 0.35 did not improve the response in the six patients restudied. We conclude that venesection did not benefit these patients with intermittent claudication and there was an unacceptable incidence of side effects. Therefore, we suggest that reducing the PCV to 0.35 should be avoided in patients with intermittent claudication who have been refused surgical treatment.

Adult↗

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to assess the immediate effect of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate on the ankle brachial pressure index, claudication, and maximum walking distance of patients with intermittent claudication.

PURPOSE: The goal of the present study was to assess the immediate effect of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) in patients with intermittent claudication. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Inclusion criteria consisted of history of intermittent claudication, resting ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) of 1.00 or less, a 20% or greater fall in ABPI after exercise, and maximum walking distance (MWD) of less than 250 m. Patients already receiving nitrates were excluded. In study 1, patients (n = 25) underwent a standard exercise test after randomization to receive either 800 microg of sublingual GTN or placebo. The postexercise ABPI was recorded. Then, the crossover portion of the study was performed. In study 2, patients (n = 22) had their claudication distance and MWD measured. They then were randomized to receive either GTN or placebo spray, and the exercise test was repeated, with the claudication distance and MWD recorded, followed by the crossover portion of the study. Statistical analysis was performed with the Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: In study 1, the median postexercise ABPIs for placebo and GTN were 0.29 and 0.36 (P =.0001). In study 2, the median claudication distance for both placebo and GTN groups was 70 m (P =.59). The median MWD for the placebo and GTN groups was 105 and 125 m (P =.0084) CONCLUSION: GTN can decrease the fall in ABPI after exercise and increase the MWD.

Administration, Sublingual↗

Walking and cycling tests in neurogenic and intermittent claudication.

The walking and cycling tolerance of 19 patients with neurogenic claudication and 11 with intermittent claudication was assessed, first in the upright and then in 30 degrees of flexion, repeating the tests on a second day. The flexed posture improved the walking and cycling distance, respectively, in 11 and six patients with neurogenic claudication. In two of the 11 patients, this posture significantly improved by more than 100% of both walking and cycling distances. In addition, one patient had claudication pain when he was walking, but could cycle unlimited distance. Only one of the patients with intermittent claudication could walk or cycle further in the flexed position. Although some patients with neurogenic claudication increase their walking distance by flexing forwards, we conclude that posture-related walking and cycling are insufficiently sensitive tests to distinguish between neurogenic and intermittent claudication.

Exercise↗

Vascular surgical society of great britain and ireland: review of 94 tibial bypasses for intermittent claudication

BACKGROUND: The management of intermittent claudication is usually non-operative. Most surgeons accept, however, that intervention may be warranted for those with debilitating symptoms. Such interventions are limited to above-knee bypass or balloon angioplasty. However, the authors have performed almost 4500 bypasses for limb salvage, with careful audit of results, and suggest that, in very carefully selected cases, tibial bypass can also be performed for intermittent claudication. The present study aimed to review the results of infrainguinal bypass in this unit; to compare the results for above-knee, below-knee popliteal and tibial bypass in claudicants using either in situ or excised vein as the conduit; and to examine the indications and long-term follow-up for those undergoing tibial bypass for claudication. METHODS: A database has been maintained prospectively in this unit since 1986. Details of all patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass for claudication were retrieved. In-hospital charts were also reviewed and cross-referenced with the computer database. In addition to demographic details, data were extracted on operative indication and procedure, postoperative complications, return to desired level of activity and long-term graft patency. RESULTS: From 1987 to 1997, 409 infrainguinal reconstructions were performed for intermittent claudication (9 per cent of all infrainguinal reconstructions). Of these 73 per cent were in men and 27 per cent in women with a mean age of 64 (range 24-91) years. The operative procedures comprised 165 above-knee popliteal grafts, 150 bypasses to the below-knee popliteal artery and 94 to tibial arteries. There were no operative deaths. However, one of 165 patients who had an above-knee popliteal graft underwent an amputation. Primary and secondary patency rates at 4 years were 62 and 64 per cent for above-knee popliteal bypass, 77 and 81 per cent for below-knee popliteal bypass, and 86 and 90 per cent for tibial bypass. Cumulative survival was 93 per cent at 4 years. CONCLUSION: Tibial bypass for severely disabling claudication can be performed with minimal morbidity and mortality rates, and is at least as durable as more commonly performed bypasses. These data indicate that concern over limb loss, death and limited life span may be exaggerated.

Journal Article↗

Spinal intermittent claudication due to cervical and thoracic degenerative spine disease.

STUDY DESIGN: Neurogenic intermittent claudication can be caused by spinal cord compression. In this study, 20 patients with spinal intermittent claudication due to degenerative spine diseases were evaluated. OBJECTIVES: This study clarified the clinical features and pathomechanism of spinal intermittent claudication due to degenerative spine diseases. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Spinal intermittent claudication may either be produced by intrinsic or extrinsic lesions. Little is known about spinal intermittent claudication due to extrinsic lesions such as spinal cord compression. Twenty patients with spinal intermittent claudication, caused by cervical or thoracic lesions, who were given surgical treatment except for one, were studied. Their main subjective symptoms were tightness, weakness, and numbness in the lower limbs and a strangulated sensation in the trunk to lower limbs. The objective findings were occurrence and/or aggravation of spinothalamic signs. METHODS: The gait loading test was performed on these 20 patients. Selective spinal angiography was performed on the patients with thoracic myelopathy and its therapeutic effects were evaluated. A radiographic assessment was made in all patients. RESULTS: The subjective symptoms and objective findings were reproduced by the gait loading test. Selective spinal angiography temporarily relieved or improved the spinal intermittent claudication due to the thoracic myelopathy. Spinal intermittent claudication disappeared immediately after surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Circulatory impairment of the spinal cord seems to be closely related to the etiology of spinal intermittent claudication. Besides providing diagnostic information, selective spinal angiography may also have a temporary therapeutic effect.

Adult↗

New treatment options in intermittent claudication: the US experience.

The goals of treatment in intermittent claudication are to modify cardiovascular risk factors and to reduce claudication pain, increase walking distance and improve quality of life. Walking distance in intermittent claudication can be improved both by exercise rehabilitation and by pharmacological treatments. At present, the only two drugs licensed in the US for the treatment of claudication symptoms are oxpentifylline and cilostazol. Although oxpentifylline has been shown to increase maximal and pain-free walking distance in a number of trials, other studies call its efficacy into question. Eight double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have established that cilostazol improves both maximal and pain-free walking distance in patients with moderate to severe intermittent claudication, with highly statistically significant differences compared with placebo. Cilostazol has also been shown to improve the physical dimensions of quality of life. Naftidrofuryl is licensed for the treatment of intermittent claudication in Europe, but not in the US. Some clinical trials have shown it to be effective in treating intermittent claudication. Promising new agents in the treatment of intermittent claudication include L-arginine, propionyl-L-carnitine, prostaglandins, and angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor.

Arginine↗

Intermittent claudication. A risk profile from The Framingham Heart Study.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent claudication identifies persons at increased risk for death and disability. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using 38-year follow-up data for the original cohort in the Framingham Heart Study, we developed an intermittent claudication risk profile. Intermittent claudication occurred in a total of 381 men and women. Age, sex, serum cholesterol, hypertension, cigarette smoking, diabetes, and coronary heart disease were associated with an increased risk for claudication and were included in the profile. A pooled logistic regression model was used to compute the probability of intermittent claudication for specified levels of risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The intermittent claudication risk profile allows physicians to identify high-risk individuals during a routine office visit and can be used to educate patients about modifiable risk factors, particularly smoking and blood pressure. Improved compliance with risk factor modification strategies may result in a beneficial impact on survival.

Adult↗

Efficacy of a short-course intensive rehabilitation program in patients with moderate-to-severe intermittent claudication.

BACKGROUND: Many rehabilitation programs for intermittent claudication include physical training for several months, since the outcome of short-course protocols is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a short course of exercise therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe intermittent claudication in terms of walking distance variations. METHODS: Twenty-six patients (males 88%, mean age 59 +/- 8 years, ankle-brachial index < or = 0.8 and < or = 0.5 before and after exercise respectively) were evaluated. Moderate-to-severe stenoses or occlusions were localized at color Doppler scanning of the abdominal aorta/iliac arteries and femoral/popliteal/tibial arteries in 15 and 31% of patients respectively, while in 54% of cases both the proximal and distal sites were involved. The initial and absolute claudication distances were recorded by means of the constant treadmill test (3 km/hour speed, 0% grade) at the time of presentation and after a short-course comprehensive rehabilitation program (4 week duration) including physical training, educational intervention, psychological support, and cardiovascular risk management. RESULTS: At the end of the program, 1 patient (4%) became asymptomatic (walked > 1000 m without pain). In 25 patients who still developed pain, the average increase in the initial claudication distance was 132% (from 75 to 174 m). Among these, 20 patients (77%) were still unable to complete the treadmill test due to maximal claudication pain, but the absolute claudication distance increased by 87% from 204 to 381 m (p < 0.05). No cardiovascular complication occurred during the study period. Major clinical variables failed to predict an unsatisfactory increase in walking capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Short-course training programs enhance the walking ability even in patients with moderate-to-severe intermittent claudication and seem to be well tolerated, supporting their widespread use in rehabilitation centers.

Aged↗

Colour duplex ultrasound: a screening modality for femoropopliteal disease in patients with intermittent claudication.

In patients presenting with intermittent claudication, Colour Duplex Ultrasound (CDU) examination of the femoro-popliteal segment has been proposed as a screening modality. Those patients with atheromatous lesions suitable for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) could proceed to diagnostic angiography. Patients with long segment occlusive disease demonstrated by CDU, who were not considered suitable candidates for surgery, would not require angiographic examination. This prospective study was performed on 46 limbs in 25 consecutive patients who presented for investigation of claudication. There was close correlation between the two methods in the demonstration of high-grade stenoses and occluded segments. Using angiography as the 'gold standard' this study indicated a diagnostic accuracy for CDU of 93% with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 95%. Angiography tended to show longer occluded segments than CDU. Colour Duplex Ultrasound shows promise as a screening investigation in patients with intermittent claudication to detect lesions that may be suitable for PTA.

Aged↗

Intermittent claudication. The natural history.

Intermittent claudication is a relatively common disorder, present in a subset of patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic disease. Although lower extremity morbidity rates are low, patients with claudication frequently have coexistent cardiovascular disease and are at significantly increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events. Data to support work-up for concomitant coronary artery disease in conservatively managed patients are not available; however, clinicians should consider the high prevalence of coronary artery disease when developing management strategies. Patients should be carefully selected for lower extremity interventional management given the generally benign lower extremity prognosis. Tobacco smokers should be urged to quit, owing to their higher rate of lower extremity and cardiovascular adverse outcomes. Functional outcomes after various treatment strategies have not yet been sufficiently studied in the claudicant.

Adult↗

The management of intermittent claudication.

Many patients with intermittent claudication improve due to development of collateral vessels. Only a small proportion worsen, and few progress to severe ischaemia with the risk of amputation. Accordingly, most patients can be reassured and treated expectantly. Those patients have a reduced life expectancy compared with the population at large. Thus, surgical treatment should be reserved for patients who are severely restricted by claudication. The early technical results of arterial reconstruction for claudication are excellent. However, the late results are much worse in patients who continue to smoke. Nowadays, the complication rate from surgery is low.

Adult↗