Analysis and Visualization of Confounders and Treatment Pathways Leading to Amputation and Non-Amputation in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients Using Sankey Diagrams

Cardiovascular surgeries, though lifesaving, can lead to complications requiring further interventions, including amputations. This study uses Sankey diagrams to analyze treatment pathways in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), focusing on those that lead to amputation versus those that do not. The analysis demonstrates pathways that begin with initial treatments, such as anti-platelet therapy and lipid lowering treatment often routes to non-amputation. However, as the flows progress through the diagram, they diverge, leading to distinct outcomes and suggesting areas for early intervention. Amputation pathways are more likely to include revascularization procedures. Confounder analysis, including the risk factors of PAD has been performed to support the insights we obtain from the PAD visualizations. These visualizations highlight patterns in patient care and emphasize the importance of tailored treatment strategies to reduce amputations, offering insights to predict likely outcomes based on treatment sequences.