What is Leriche syndrome

Leriche syndrome is an aorta-iliac occlusive disease resulting from thrombotic occlusion of the region just above the abdominal aorta bifurcation ¹. Leriche syndrome is a product of atherosclerosis affecting the distal abdominal aorta, iliac arteries, and femoropopliteal vessels ². Aorta-iliac occlusive disease is classified as Type 1 (confined to the distal abdominal aorta and common iliac arteries), Type 2 (predominately distal abdominal aorta with disease extension into common iliac and external iliac arteries), and Type 3 (affecting the aortoiliac segment and femoropopliteal vessels) ³.

Leriche syndrome (aorta-iliac occlusive disease), when symptomatic, classically presents with a triad of hip and throat claudication, absence of the femoral pulse, or general weakening and impotence ⁴. Claudication refers to cramping leg pain that is reproducible by exercise. Leriche syndrome can have atypical presentations, such as renal infarction ⁵. Additionally, Leriche syndrome (aorta-iliac occlusive disease) is more prevalent among males and the non-Hispanic black race.

Leriche syndrome is named after René Leriche, the famous French surgeon who performed the first operative treatment for this disease. Leriche syndrome is more common in smokers, in patients of hypercholesterolemia, and in those with peripheral arterial disease ⁶. For the diagnosis of Leriche syndrome, ankle brachial index measurement, duplex Doppler ultrasonography, and CT angiography are important imaging modalities. Conventional surgical treatment for aortoiliac occlusive diseases include aortoiliac endarterectomy and aortobifemoral bypass. For high-risk patients, axillofemoral bypass (extra-anatomic technique) and percutaneous angioplasty are also viable alternatives ⁵.

Leriche syndrome causes

Leriche Syndrome is caused by atherosclerosis ⁷. Modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, nicotine, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and homocysteine. Non-modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis include age, gender, race, and family history ⁸.

Leriche Syndrome occurs secondary to atherosclerotic induced arterial wall injury leading to two out of three factors involved in Virchow triad, endothelial damage, and thrombosis. Once endothelial damage occurs, a resultant inflammatory response leads to lipid accumulation in smooth muscle cells and macrophages, which eventually leads to the formation of a plaque in the arterial lumen. Eventually, aortoiliac segments become stenotic by more than 50%, the resultant oxygen debt during exercise causes claudication. Once peripheral arterial disease becomes extensive in the aortoiliac segment, the majority of men with Leriche Syndrome present with impotence and sexual dysfunction secondary to reduced penile arterial flow ⁸.

Leriche syndrome symptoms

Patients with Leriche syndrome (aorta-iliac occlusive disease) commonly present with claudication, which is cramping in the lower extremities (hips, thighs, buttocks) reproducible by exercise. A detailed history is essential in determining the location, severity, and duration of symptoms. While impotence and sexual dysfunction may occur in the majority of patients, the hallmark of Leriche Syndrome is reduced or absent femoral pulses ⁹. However, due to collateral vasculature, limb-threatening ischemia is not universal ¹⁰.

Leriche syndrome complications

Limb ischemia ¹¹ is a potential complication of Leriche syndrome as well as heart failure, myocardial ischemia/infarction, gangrene, and even death ¹².

Leriche syndrome diagnosis

A serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG) as well as HbA1c (if diabetic), lipoprotein A, and homocysteine levels should be obtained ⁸. An ankle-brachial index (ABI) should also be performed to evaluate the perfusion of the lower extremities. An ankle-brachial index (ABI) is often the first screening test performed as it is non-invasive, inexpensive, and reliable. An ankle-brachial index (ABI) provides the ratio of the ankle systolic blood pressure divided by the brachial systolic blood pressure detected using a Doppler probe. An ankle-brachial index (ABI) lower than 0.9 is considered abnormal and indicates the patient has peripheral arterial disease significant enough to cause claudication ¹³. Duplex ultrasonography and CT angiography are performed to determine the location and degree of stenosis while planning an intervention ¹⁰. Coronary artery disease (coronary heart disease) is seen in 10% – 71% of patients with peripheral arterial disease, so obtaining an EKG as well to rule out coronary heart disease is recommended ¹⁴.

Leriche syndrome treatment

Surgical treatment options for Leriche Syndrome include thromboendarterectomy, aortobifemoral bypass and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with or without stenting ⁸. Aortobifemoral bypass is preferred over thromboendarterectomy, mainly when intervention is necessary for arteries deep in the pelvis. Long-term patency of surgically repaired vessels in aortobifemoral bypass have been recognized as superior to thromboendarterectomy and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting in surgically fit patients. The long-term patency rates of aortobifemoral bypass approach 85-90% at five years and 75-80% at ten years ⁸. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting is the intervention of choice in patients with multiple comorbidities, particularly those resulting in reduced lung function. Medical management includes smoking cessation, management of diabetes, antiplatelet and statin therapy, in addition to antihypertensive therapy. Implementation of a walking exercise program has been shown to improve walking ability by 50% – 200%. The exercise program should consist of daily 30-minute walking sessions. Intolerable claudication pain should be the endpoint for each session ¹⁵, cessation and lowering glucose and lipid levels (LDL <100 mg/dL and HbA1c below 7%) are primary objectives of medical management. Cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, may be administered to treat claudication symptoms of the patient. Cilostazol may also have benefit in graft patency and prevention of stenosis ¹⁶.

Leriche syndrome prognosis

Without treatment, the prognosis of Leriche Syndrome is poor. However, with modern medicine outcomes are good. In some cases with slow progression or onset of Leriche syndrome, collaterals may develop as a self-compensating mechanism ¹⁷.

References

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