Patient outcomes after peripheral revascularization surgery

Acquired peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a significant problem in the United States, resulting in both morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the pilot study was to determine patient outcomes after peripheral revascularization surgery. The specific aims of the pilot study were to examine peripheral revascularization surgical patient outcomes (PVD-related clinical symptoms, functioning, atherosclerotic disease risk factor reduction, and patient satisfaction) and to determine the influence of selected patient demographic characteristics (gender, age) on selected patient outcomes (PVD-related clinical symptoms, functioning, atherosclerotic disease risk factor reduction, and patient satisfaction). A prospective, repeated measures design was used for the study. A total of 39 patients, 18 women and 21 men, participated in the study, with a mean age of 68.86 years (SD = 13.61). The average length of hospitalization after surgery was 4.05 days. At 1 month after discharge, the majority of patients had relief from claudication and paresthesia. In regard to outcomes related to atherosclerotic risk factor modification, patients reported that they exercised on a routine basis, an average of 5.31 +/- 1.97 times per week. Before surgery, 21 patients reported that they smoked; 6 patients reported that they continued to smoke at follow-up. There were no significant differences in mean total scores of atherosclerotic risk modification by either gender or age groups (<65 or > or =65 years) with the use of one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs). By using a Likert scale (ie, 0 to 10), the mean level of functioning was 8.18 +/- 2.76, with women having significantly higher mean levels of functioning (F = 4.26, P <.05). Comparing baseline scores of functioning on the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (MOS SF-36), there was a significant improvement (F = 2.11, P <.05) in general health subscale scores at 1 month after surgery. Subjects' mean overall satisfaction with the results of surgery, with a 0 to 10 scale, was 7.33 +/- 2.84. Again, by using one-way ANOVAs, females had significantly higher mean satisfaction rating than males (F = 4.52, P <.05). Although findings from this pilot study are limited in their generalizability, clinicians need to continue to evaluate opportunities to further reduce variability in clinical practice patterns for optimal patient outcomes. Study findings also indicated that additional interventions are warranted to educate and provide rehabilitation for patients regarding an exercise program and overall behavior modification strategies to reduce risk for atherosclerotic disease.