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Objectives: Although surgical site infection (SSI) is a commonly used quality metric after lower-limb revascularization surgery, outcomes associated with development of this complication are poorly characterized. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting associations between development of an SSI after these procedures and clinical outcomes and healthcare resource use., Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews (inception to April 4th, 2023) for studies examining adjusted associations between development of an SSI after lower-limb revascularization surgery and clinical outcomes and healthcare resource use. Two investigators independently screened abstracts and full-text citations, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Data were pooled using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using I 2 statistics. GRADE was used to assess estimate certainty., Results: Among 6671 citations identified, we included 11 studies (n = 61,628 total patients) that reported adjusted-associations between development of an SSI and 13 different outcomes. Developing an SSI was associated with an increased adjusted-risk of hospital readmission (pooled adjusted-risk ratio (aRR) = 3.55; 95% CI (confidence interval) = 1.40-8.97; n = 4 studies; n = 13,532 patients; I 2 = 99.0%; moderate certainty), bypass graft thrombosis within 30-days (pooled aRR = 2.09; 95% CI = 1.41-3.09; n = 2 studies; n = 23,240 patients; I 2 = 51.1%; low certainty), reoperation (pooled aRR = 2.69; 95% CI = 2.67-2.72; n = 2 studies; n = 23,240 patients; I 2 = 0.0%; moderate certainty), bleeding requiring a transfusion or secondary procedure (aRR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.26-1.55; n = 1 study; n = 10,910 patients; low certainty), myocardial infarction or stroke (aRR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.02-1.43; n = 1 study; n = 10,910 patients; low certainty), and major (i.e., above-ankle) amputation (pooled aRR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.26-2.95; n = 4 studies; n = 32,859 patients; I 2 = 83.0; low certainty). Development of an SSI >30-days after the index operation (aRR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.16-4.17; n = 3 studies; n = 21,949 patients; low certainty) and prosthetic graft infection (aRR = 6.72; 95% CI = 3.21-12.70; n = 1 study; n = 272 patients; low certainty) were both associated with an increased adjusted-risk of major amputation. Prosthetic graft infection was also associated with an increased adjusted-risk of mortality >30-days after the index procedure (aRR = 6.40; 95% CI = 3.32-12.36; n = 1 study; n = 272 patients; low certainty)., Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that development of an SSI after lower-limb revascularization surgery significantly increases patient morbidity and healthcare resource use. SSI is therefore a valuable quality metric after these surgeries. However, current estimates are based on heterogenous, low-to-moderate certainty evidence and should be confirmed by large, multicenter, cohort studies., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Introduction: International guidelines recommend that adults with peripheral artery disease (PAD) be prescribed antiplatelet, statin and antihypertensive medications. However, it is unclear how often people with PAD are underprescribed these drugs, which characteristics predict clinician underprescription of and patient non-adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications, and whether underprescription and non-adherence are associated with adverse health and health system outcomes., Methods and Analysis: We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE and Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews from 2006 onwards. Two investigators will independently review abstracts and full-text studies. We will include studies that enrolled adults and reported the incidence and/or prevalence of clinician underprescription of or patient non-adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications among people with PAD; adjusted risk factors for underprescription of/non-adherence to these medications; and adjusted associations between underprescription/non-adherence to these medications and outcomes. Outcomes will include mortality, major adverse cardiac and limb events (including revascularisation procedures and amputations), other reported morbidities, healthcare resource use and costs. Two investigators will independently extract data and evaluate study risk of bias. We will calculate summary estimates of the incidence and prevalence of clinician underprescription/patient non-adherence across studies. We will also conduct subgroup meta-analyses and meta-regression to determine if estimates vary by country, characteristics of the patients and treating clinicians, population-based versus non-population-based design, and study risks of bias. Finally, we will calculate pooled adjusted risk factors for underprescription/non-adherence and adjusted associations between underprescription/non-adherence and outcomes. We will use Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation to determine estimate certainty., Ethics and Dissemination: Ethics approval is not required as we are studying published data. This systematic review will synthesise existing evidence regarding clinician underprescription of and patient non-adherence to guideline-recommended cardiovascular medications in adults with PAD. Results will be used to identify evidence-care gaps and inform where interventions may be required to improve clinician prescribing and patient adherence to prescribed medications., Prospero Registration Number: CRD42022362801., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)