Peripheral arterial embolectomy in the aged

A series of 65 geriatric patients, operated upon for 76 peripheral arterial embolic events, is presented. The underlying condition was rheumatic heart disease in 8 and arteriosclerotic in 57. No patient was denied surgery unless widespread irreversible ischemia of the limb was present. Limb salvage was accomplished in 35 patients (54%). It was influenced by age, the underlying disease and time elapsed until resumption of circulation to the limb. The mortality rate experienced in this series was very high. 31 patients (48%) died postoperatively, mainly from cardiorespiratory failure. Death was related to the severity of the patients condition before surgery. 29 out of the 34 surviving patients were discharged with a viable limb. The high death rate observed is discussed.