Factors Influencing the Recovery of Wounds in Individuals with Peripheral Artery Disease Undergoing Below-the-knee Interventions

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the elements that impact the healing of wounds in patients suffering from lower limb peripheral arterial disease due to various risk factors who underwent endovascular interventions. Methods: Conducted at the Cardiology Department of Kocaeli University from January 2015 to August 2019, the study involved 200 patients referred for endovascular revascularization due to stenosis or blockage in the infrapopliteal arteries. A retrospective analysis of medical records was performed. Patients with Burger’s disease were excluded from the study, resulting in 192 participants. Angiography and angioplasty results were reviewed, focusing on vessel conditions and outcomes of the procedures. Wound healing was assessed through follow-up records, and additional information was gathered through phone interviews with patients lacking complete data. Healing assessments occurred at least 3 months post-procedure, categorizing patients based on their healing outcomes. Results: A comparative analysis of patient demographics and procedural details indicated that factors such as male gender, chronic kidney disease (CKD), smoking history, and lack of flow in the tibialis anterior post-procedure were significantly associated with non-healing outcomes. Multivariate analysis identified CKD, Rutherford class 6 classification, and absence of tibialis anterior flow as negative predictors for healing. Conclusion: The study highlights that CKD, classification as Rutherford 6 before intervention, and impaired tibialis anterior flow post-procedure are significant negative indicators for wound healing in patients undergoing peripheral interventions.