Correlation of cerebral small vessel disease burden with outcome after lower extremity amputation

Aims

This study assessed whether changes associated with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) evaluated from head computed tomography (CT) images captured for non-related clinical purposes predict overall survival (OS), leg salvage (LS), and amputation-free survival (AFS) after lower extremity amputation (LEA).

Methods

We retrospectively included a cohort of 240 patients who had undergone a lower extremity amputation in Tampere University Hospital between the years 2007 and 2020 and had a head CT scan (within one year before amputation). A neuroradiologist graded the white matter lesions (WMLs) and reported infarcts, and the latter's effects on OS, LS, and AFS were evaluated.

Results

Altogether, 162 (67.5 %) and 91 (38.1 %) patients had WMLs and infarcts, respectively. Mild/moderate (HR 1.985, CI 95 % 1.317–2.992) and severe (HR 2.259, CI 95 % 1.501–3.399) WMLs and infarcts (HR 1.413, CI 95 % 1.029–1.940) were associated with inferior OS. After a minor amputation, mild/moderate (HR 2.012, CI 95 % 1.054–3.843) and severe (HR 3.879, CI 95 % 2.096–7.180) WMLs were similarly associated with inferior AFS.

Conclusions

Overall, WML and infarcts detected on head CT scans were associated with impaired OS after LEA and AFS after minor LEA. Evaluation of CSVD could provide useful prognostic information for clinicians.