For a study, researchers sought to examine the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on Critical Limb Threatening Ischemia (CLTI) and DFI patients’ outcomes. Period 1[P1] (15/03/2019-31/05/2019) and period 2[P2] (15/03/2020-31/05/2020-corresponding to the COVID-19 pandemic) were used to compare the results in patients with CLTI or DFI. In P1, 139 patients were treated [mean age 70 years (±11), Male:Female = 102:37], while 95 patients were treated in P2 [mean age 67 years (±12), Male:Female = 64:31]. In terms of the Rutherford category (P=0.25) and GLASS classification (P=0.38), the 2 cohorts were nearly identical. Notably, in P2 compared to P1, the period from onset of symptom to clinical presentation was substantially longer [31 (1-105) days vs. 27 (0–78) days, (P=0.017), although the time from presentation to first intervention was significantly shorter [3 (0–61) days vs. 5 (0–65) days, (P=0.013)]. On admission to P2, the white cell count (P=0.014) and CRP (P=0.004) were considerably higher (P=0.004). Having CLTI or DFI treatment in P2 was an independent predictor of a lower primary patency rate and a lower risk of significant adverse limb events. P2 had significantly lower amputation-free survival and limb salvage at 90 days than P1 (amputation-free survival was 80% and 87%, whereas limb salvage was 64% and 72% in P2 and P1, respectively).On arrival in P2, patients with CLTI and DFI had a considerably delayed presentation with symptoms of sepsis. Treatment in P2 was linked to poor primary patency and the absence of serious adverse limb events; therefore, close and extensive follow-up was recommended.
