TP HCMMr. Minh, 75 years old, had an artery blockage in his lower limbs that caused leg pain and was unable to walk. A doctor performed a “2 in 1” intervention to save the blood vessels in his legs.
On April 18, Dr. Le Van Tuyen, Vascular Intervention Center, Cardiovascular Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, said that when he arrived at the hospital, Mr. Minh’s legs were stiff due to severe blockage in the arteries of both lower limbs. , especially occlusion of the iliac artery, femoral artery, and below-the-knee artery. If the blockage is not completely treated, it leads to severe anemia in both legs. The lower limb ischemia index (ABI) is 0.76 and 0.83 respectively (normal index 0.91 and 1.4). risk of necrosis.
Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography shows obstruction and calcification of the arteries of both lower extremities (image A) and after recanalization (image B). Image: Tam Anh Hospital
Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Head of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Cardiovascular Center, said that in similar cases, the doctor performed a two-legged blood vessel bypass for both branches of the iliac artery and the femoral artery. . However, Mr. Minh is old and has a history of hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, and chronic kidney disease, so he is worried that he will not be strong enough to undergo major surgery.
Doctors decided to combine surgery and endovascular intervention for the patient to completely resolve the condition. Within two hours, the doctor bypassed the long-term blockage of the left leg artery and placed a stent at the blockage site in the left iliac artery. The team revascularized the right thigh. The patient’s legs were revascularized with very small incisions.
The team performed the “2 in 1” procedure to save the patient’s legs from the risk of necrosis. Image: Tam Anh Hospital
After the procedure, Mr. Minh had no pain and numbness in both feet, could learn to walk again, and was discharged from the hospital after three days. On follow-up examination, blood perfusion index of both legs was normal, bridging sites were placed, stents were placed for smooth flow.
Arterial occlusion of the lower extremities occurs when the blood vessels supplying the legs become blocked by a blood clot or atherosclerotic plaque. Patients often have symptoms of severe leg pain, pale skin, loss of leg sensation, and necrosis. If not promptly intervened, the patient is at risk of limb amputation and death. Depending on the type of blockage, the location of the blocked vessel and the patient’s health, the doctor chooses the appropriate treatment method.
Factors that increase the risk of lower limb artery occlusion include age, smoking, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, and family history of vascular disease. blood.
To reduce the risk of disease, Dr. Dung recommends not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a suitable weight (BMI below 23), and controlling chronic underlying diseases.