Predictive Effect of Frailty on Amputation, Mortality, and Ambulation in Patients Undergoing Revascularization for Acute Limb Ischemia

Background: Frailty is a common, age-associated syndrome that has been used to predict postoperative outcomes in vascular surgery. This study examines if standard measures of frailty correlate with postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing revascularization for acute limb ischemia (ALI). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on all adult patients undergoing revascularization for ALI at an academic medical center between January 2016 and June 2019. Frailty was calculated with the 11-factor modified frailty index (mFI-11), derived from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Frailty Index. Outcomes examined included in-hospital mortality, major amputation, site of discharge, and ambulatory status at follow-up. Results: Fifty-three ambulatory patients presented with ALI during the study time period, with 13.2% deemed not frail (mFI-11 < 3) and 86.8% deemed frail (mFI-11 >= 3). Frailty was significantly correlated with discharge to a skilled nursing facility (P = 0.028) and nonambulation at follow-up (P = 0.002). There was no significant correlation with other outcomes, including mortality and amputation. On multivariate analysis, frailty was the only factor contributing to nonambulation at follow-up (P = 0.012). Endovascular treatment did not mitigate the effects of frailty on discharge site and ambulatory status. Conclusions: Frailty is exceedingly common in patients with ALI. Although frailty predicts discharge site and nonambulation at follow-up, it is not associated with amputation or death. Therefore, frail patients should not be denied open or endovascular revascularization for ALI.

Automated summary

Frailty in patients undergoing revascularization for acute limb ischemia is associated with discharge location and ambulatory status, but not with amputation or mortality. Endovascular treatment does not lessen the impact of frailty on these outcomes.