Aorto-iliac arteriosclerotic disease in young human adults

A highly selected group of patients younger than 50 years of age operated on for isolated aorto-iliac arteriosclerotic disease over a 7 year period has been investigated. The group has a significant dominance of females, and the patients are further characterised by being apparently otherwise "healthy" individuals. The indication for surgery was intermittent claudication in 80% and rest pain/gangrene in the remainder, with a low postoperative morbidity and no mortality. The overall cumulative patency rate is 89% at 4 years. At follow-up, a large majority of the patients were free of symptoms and the long-term results were significantly better in females. The question arises whether our group of patients, especially the young females with isolated aorto-iliac arteriosclerotic lesion, represent a separate disease entity which, when properly treated, is a benign and curable condition.