New angioplasty procedure improves blood flow in blocked arteries to extremities

XCELL trial confirms nitinol stenting aids in wound healing, pain relief, and amputation-free survival

2012-07-25

(Press-News.org) Patients with blocked arteries to their extremities, known as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or critical limb ischemia (CLI), may now find relief from lower leg pain and wounds caused by impaired leg artery circulation with the previously unproven therapy, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). The XCELL trial results now available in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions, a journal published by Wiley on behalf of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), reports that infrapopliteal nitinol stenting to treat CLI is safe and effective in improving wound healing, providing pain relief, and promoting amputation-free survival.

PAD is a disorder in which narrowed blood vessels restrict blood flow in the limbs. CLI affects close to 30 million people in Europe and North America, with most experiencing pain and ulcers with or without gangrene in the legs. Experts agree that current treatment options should aim to relieve pain, heal ulcers, prevent limb loss, improve quality of life and prolong survival. Previous research, however, show amputation rates are as high 40% in CLI patients in the first year following their diagnosis, with mortality rates approaching 20%. Moreover, prior studies estimate that 160,000 amputations due to PAD are performed each year in the U.S., of which a 25% reduction could save $29 billion in health care costs according to the Sage Group.

"With the obesity epidemic, we expect the incidence of diabetes to rise as well, and as these patients age this could sharply increase rates of CLI," explains Dr. Krishna J. Rocha-Singh, MD, FSCAI with Prairie Education & Research Cooperative in Springfield, Ill. "It is essential that we identify less invasive treatment strategies that are safe and effective in improving vascular disease."

One promising procedure for improving CLI outcomes is PTA with stenting of the infrapopliteal arteries. The multi-center trial of the "XpertTM Nitinol Stenting For Critically IschEmic Lower Limbs" (XCELL) evaluates the safety and effectiveness of this device in patients with CLI. The Xpert stent is manufactured by Abbott, a global health care company. The device was evaluated in 120 CLI patients with infrapopliteal lesions of 4-15 cm in length. A total of 140 limbs and 212 implanted devices were included in the study, with 12-month amputation-free survival (AFS), limb salvage, wound healing and pain relief determining the success of the procedure.

Results reveal that 12-month AFS was 78%. Further analysis confirmed that according to baseline Rutherford classes 4, 5, and 6, the 12-month AFS rates were 100%, 77%, 55%, respectively; freedom from major amputation were 100%, 91% and 70%, respectively. The investigators also determined that the 12-month freedom from major amputation rate and clinically driven target lesion revascularization were 90% and 70%, respectively. Six-month and 12-month wound-healing rates were 49% and 54%, respectively. Moreover, Rutherford class 4 patients had significant pain relief through 12 months.

"Our XCELL trial findings confirm that infrapopliteal nitinol stenting is safe and effective in treating CLI patients," concludes Dr. Rocha-Singh. "While there were a few major adverse events, such as death, heart attack, or major amputation that occurred in the first 30 days, at the first year post-procedure, limb preservation, wound healing and pain relief rates were excellent." The authors also point out that the 12-month wound healing with nitinol stenting was similar to the more invasive open surgery.

### This study is published in Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact sciencenewsroom@wiley.com

Full citation: "Major Adverse Limb Events and Wound Healing Following Infrapopliteal Artery Stent Implantation in Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia: The XCELL Trial." Krishna J. Rocha-Singh, Michael Jaff, James Joye, John Laird, Gary Ansel, Peter Schneider on behalf of the VIVA Physicians. Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions; Published Online: July 24, 2012 (DOI: 10.1002/ccd.24485). URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ccd.24485/abstract

Author Contact: To arrange an interview with Dr. Rocha-Singh, please contact Ms. Jeri Taapken with Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, Ltd at 217-788-0706.

About the Journal Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions is the official journal of The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. This international journal covers the broad field of cardiovascular diseases. Subject material includes basic and clinical information that is derived from or related to invasive and interventional coronary or peripheral vascular techniques. The journal focuses on material that will be of immediate practical value to physicians providing patient care in the clinical laboratory setting. To accomplish this, the journal publishes Preliminary Reports and Work In Progress articles that complement the traditional Original Studies, Case Reports, and Comprehensive Reviews. Perspective and insight concerning controversial subjects and evolving technologies are provided regularly through Editorial Commentaries furnished by members of the Editorial Board and other experts. Articles are subject to double-blind peer review and complete editorial evaluation prior to any decision regarding acceptability. For more information, please visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1522-726X..

About the Society The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) is the primary professional association for invasive and interventional cardiologists, representing over 4,300 physicians in 60 countries. The Society's mission is to promote excellence in invasive and interventional cardiovascular medicine through physician education and representation, its monthly journal Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions, and the advancement of quality standards to enhance patient care. For more information, please visit http://www.scai.org or SCAI's comprehensive patient education website, http://www.SecondsCount.org.

About Wiley Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 450 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace.

Our core businesses publish scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional/trade books, subscription products, training materials, and online applications and Web sites; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.

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New angioplasty procedure improves blood flow in blocked arteries to extremities

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