Title

APWCA2009 - Apr 04, 2009

Author(s)
  with Kostas Delis, MD; Norman S. Turner, MD; Anthony E. Voll, RN; David A. Liedl, RN; Peter Gloviczki, MD; Thom A. Rooke, MD

Presented at: Philadelphia, PA

Background
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical role of IPC in the treatment of patients with chronic critical limb ischemia (CCLI), tissue loss and non-healing wounds of the foot on whom peripheral arterial revascularization had been exhausted.

Methods
This study comprises 2 groups: group 1 consisted of 24 patients, median age 70 years, who received IPC for tissue loss and non-healing wounds of the foot secondary to CCLI, in addition to wound care; group 2 consisted of 24 patients, median age 69 years, who received wound care for tissue loss and non-healing wounds of the foot secondary to CCLI, without the benefit of IPC. Outcome was considered favorable if complete healing and limb salvage occurred, and adverse if the patient had to undergo a below knee amputation subsequent to failure/deterioration of wound healing.

Results
In the Control Group 20 patients (83%) failed to heal their foot wounds and underwent a BKA; the remaining 4 (17%) had complete healing and limb salvage. In the IPC Group 14 patients (58%) had complete foot wound healing and limb salvage. Ten patients (42%) in this group underwent BKA after failing healing of the foot wounds. Both wound healing and limb salvage were significantly better in the IPC group (p

Conclusion
Our study data reveal that IPC implementation used as an adjunct to wound care in patients with chronic CLI and chronic non-healing wounds/tissue loss improves the likelihood of wound healing and limb salvage, when established treatment alternatives in current practice are lacking.