Trends in Utilization and Outcomes of Orbital, Laser, and Excisional Atherectomy for Lower Extremity Revascularization

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze the utilization pattern of atherectomy modalities and compare their outcomes. Materials and Methods: All patients undergoing atherectomy in the 2010–2016 Vascular Quality Initiative Database were identified. Utilization of orbital, laser, or excisional atherectomy was obtained. Characteristics and outcomes of patients treated for isolated femoropopliteal and isolated tibial disease by different modalities were compared. Results: Atherectomy use increased from 10.3% to 18.3% of all peripheral interventions (n = 122 938). Orbital atherectomy was most commonly used and increased from 59.4% in 2010 to 63.2% of all atherectomies in 2016, while laser atherectomy decreased from 19.2% to 13.1%. Atherectomy was mostly used for treatment of isolated femoropopliteal disease (51.1%), followed by combined femoropopliteal and tibial disease (25.8%) and isolated tibial disease (11.7%). In isolated femoropopliteal revascularization, excisional atherectomy was associated with higher rate of perforation (1.2%) compared with laser (0.4%) and orbital atherectomy (0.5%). The technical success of orbital atherectomy (96.7%) was lower compared with excisional atherectomy (98.7%). Concomitant stenting was significantly higher with laser atherectomy (43.0%) compared with orbital (27.2%) and excisional (26.1%) atherectomy. Nevertheless, there was no difference in 1-year primary patency, reintervention, major amputation, improvement in ambulatory status, or mortality. Multivariable analysis also demonstrated no difference in 1-year primary patency and major ipsilateral amputation among the modalities. In isolated tibial revascularization, there were no differences in perioperative outcomes among the modalities. Excisional atherectomy was associated with the highest 1-year primary patency (88.1%). After adjusting for confounders, excisional atherectomy remained associated with superior 1-year primary patency compared with orbital atherectomy (odds ratio [OR] = 2.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.18–5.68]), and excisional atherectomy remained associated with a lower rate of 1-year major ipsilateral amputation compared with laser atherectomy (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = [0.09–0.95]). Conclusion: Atherectomy use has increased, driven primarily by orbital atherectomy. Despite significant variation in perioperative outcomes, there were no differences in 1-year outcomes among the different modalities when used for treating isolated femoropopliteal disease. In isolated tibial disease treatment, excisional atherectomy was associated with higher 1-year primary patency compared with orbital atherectomy and decreased major ipsilateral amputation rates compared with laser atherectomy. These differences warrant further investigation into the comparative effectiveness of atherectomy modalities in various vascular beds.

Reduction in Acute Limb Ischemia with Rivaroxaban versus Placebo in Peripheral Artery Disease after Lower Extremity Revascularization: Insights from VOYAGER PAD

Background: Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at heightened risk of acute limb ischemia (ALI), a thrombotic event associated with amputation, disability, and mortality. Prior lower extremity revascularization (LER) is associated with increased ALI risk in chronic PAD. However, the pattern of risk, clinical correlates, and outcomes after ALI early after LER are not well-studied, and effective therapies to reduce ALI post-LER are lacking. Methods: VOYAGER PAD (NCT02504216) randomized patients with PAD undergoing LER to rivaroxaban 2.5 mg twice daily or placebo on a background of low-dose aspirin. The primary outcome was a composite of ALI, major amputation of vascular cause, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or cardiovascular death. ALI was prospectively ascertained and adjudicated by a blinded committee. The cumulative incidence of ALI was calculated using Kaplan Meier estimates, and Cox proportional-hazards models were used to generate hazard ratios and associated confidence intervals. Analyses were performed as intention-to-treat. Results: Among 6,564 patients followed for a median of 2.3 years, 382 (5.8%) had a total of 508 ALI events. In placebo patients, the 3-year cumulative incidence of ALI was 7.8%. After multivariable modeling, prior LER, baseline ABI <0.50, surgical LER, and longer target lesion length were associated with increased risk of ALI. Incident ALI was associated with subsequent all-cause mortality (HR 2.59, 95% CI 1.98-3.39) and major amputation (HR 24.87, 95% CI 18.68-33.12). Rivaroxaban reduced ALI relative to placebo by 33% (absolute risk reduction 2.6% at 3 years, HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.55-0.82, P=0.0001), with benefit starting early (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.85, P=0.0068 at 30 days). Benefit was present for severe ALI (associated with death, amputation, or prolonged hospitalization and ICU stay, HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40-0.83, P=0.003) and regardless of LER type (surgical vs endovascular revascularization, p-interaction=0.42) or clopidogrel use (p-interaction=0.59). Conclusions: After LER for symptomatic PAD, ALI is frequent, particularly early after LER, and is associated with poor prognosis. Low-dose rivaroxaban plus aspirin reduces ALI after LER, including ALI events associated with the most severe outcomes. The benefit of rivaroxaban for ALI appears early, continues over time, and is consistent regardless of revascularization approach or clopidogrel use.