The effects of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease: A near miss disaster

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread postponement and cancelation of elective vascular surgeries in Switzerland. The consequences of these decisions are poorly understood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this observational, retrospective, single-center cohort study, we describe the impact of COVID-19 pandemic containment strategies on patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) referred during the period March 11, to May 11, 2020, compared to the same time frames in 2018 to 2019. Patients admitted for acute limb ischemia (ALI) or chronic PAD and undergoing urgent or elective vascular surgery or primary amputation were included. Patients’ characteristics, indications for admission, and surgical features were analyzed. The occurrence of 30 day outcomes was assessed, including length of stay, rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major adverse limb events (MALE), and procedural and hemodynamic success. RESULTS: Overall, 166 patients were included. Fewer subjects per 10 day period were operated in 2020 compared to, 2018 to 2019 (6.7 vs. 10.5, respectively; P < 0.001). The former had higher rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (25% vs. 11.1%; P = 0.029), and ASA score (3.13 vs. 2.90; P = 0.015). The percentage of patients with ALI in 2020 was about double that of the same period in 2018 to 2019 (47.5% vs. 24.6%; P = 0.006). Overall, the types of surgery were similar between 2020 and 2018 to 2019, while palliative care and primary amputations occurred only in 2020 (5 out 40 cases). The rate of post-operative MACE was significantly higher in 2020 (10% vs. 2.4%; P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: During the first state of emergency for COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, less regular medical follow-up and hindered hospital access could have resulted in more acute and advanced clinical presentations of patients with PAD undergoing surgery. Guidelines are needed to provide appropriate care to this vulnerable population and avoid a large-scale disaster.