Spinal Cord Stimulation for Non-Reconstructable Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia: A Real-World, Multidisciplinary, Single-Center Experience

TL;DR

Spinal cord stimulation improves pain and mobility in patients with severe leg ischemia, potentially reducing the need for amputation.

Contribution

A real-world, single-center study demonstrating long-term benefits of spinal cord stimulation for chronic limb-threatening ischemia.

Findings

SCS significantly reduced claudication pain intensity and increased walking distance in CLTI patients.

Skin lesions stabilized in 63% of patients, and limb survival rates were 90% and 70% at 12 months for stages IIb/III and IV, respectively.

Amputation risk was associated with Fontaine Stage, smoking, hypertension, and prior minor amputation.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is a severe form of peripheral artery disease characterized by ischemic rest pain or ulcer necrosis. In Europe, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can be offered to CLTI patients with chronic pain to improve mobility and prolong limb preservation. We evaluated the long-term, real-world outcomes of SCS therapy in patients with CLTI. Methods: In this observational study, medical chart review data from consecutive CLTI patients treated with SCS were analyzed. Results: Fifty-three patients (56.6% Fontaine Stage III, 39.6% Fontaine Stage IV, 3.8% Fontaine Stage IIb) had a single-stage SCS implant procedure between 2013 and 2022. Two years after SCS therapy activation, claudication pain intensity had significantly improved; the overall numerical rating scale pain score decreased from 9.4 ± 0.9 at baseline to 3.7 ± 3.2 (p < 0.0001). In addition, walking distance increased by more than 350 m (from 70 ± 87 to 429 ± 320 m, p < 0.0001), and pre-existing skin lesions stabilized in ten patients (63%). The probability of limb survival in Fontaine’s stage IIb/III and Fontaine’s stage IV patients at 12 months was 90% and 70%, respectively (log-rank p-value = 0.04). Finally, significant associations were found between the occurrence of an amputation after SCS and Fontaine Stage (p = 0.01), active smoking (p = 0.02), hypertension (p = 0.04), and prior minor amputation (p = 0.02). No major complications were reported. Conclusions: Our real-world experience suggests that SCS for CLTI patients provides significant and durable improvements in ischemic pain and functional outcomes. SCS may also help reduce the natural risk of major amputation, especially when implemented at early CLTI stages.

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