Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
07:25
Predicting Amputation using Local Circulating Mononuclear Progenitor Cells in Angioplasty-treated Patients with Critical Limb Ischemia
Published on: September 22, 2020
3.7K
Mortality After Lower Extremity Amputation: A Portuguese Study
Maria Pires1, João Diniz2, Ana Aguiar3
1Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Unidade Local de Saúde do Algarve, Faro, PRT.
Cureus
|September 29, 2025
Summary
Lower extremity amputation (LEA) has high long-term mortality, but survival may be improving due to better cardiovascular care. Vascular disease is a leading cause and risk factor for poor outcomes after LEA.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Vascular Surgery
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Lower extremity amputation (LEA) remains a common procedure, primarily linked to diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral artery disease.
- While historically associated with high mortality, recent trends suggest potential improvements in survival post-major LEA, possibly due to advances in cardiovascular disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the long-term mortality rate following lower extremity amputation (LEA).
- To assess the contribution of comorbidities to overall mortality after LEA.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, single-center observational study analyzed medical records of 730 patients undergoing LEA between January 2015 and June 2024.
- Data included patient demographics, comorbidities, amputation cause and level, and mortality outcomes during follow-up.
Main Results:
- The 5- and 15-year mortality rates were 20% and 26%, respectively. Leading causes were vascular disease (64%) and trauma (19%).
- Oncological and vascular disease-related amputations, hip disarticulations, and transfemoral amputations showed poorer survival.
- Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were identified as risk factors for post-acute mortality.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms high long-term mortality after LEA but indicates a potential improvement in survival rates.
- Vascular disease is the primary cause and a significant contributor to mortality post-LEA.
- Preventive strategies and comprehensive interdisciplinary care, including cardiovascular risk factor management, are crucial for reducing LEA rates and improving outcomes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
378
During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...
378
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
363
Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
363
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
245
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by narrowed arteries that diminish blood flow to the extremities. Effective management of PAD requires an interprofessional approach involving various healthcare professionals. The critical aspects of interprofessional care for PAD patients focus on risk factor modification, drug therapy, exercise therapy, nutrition therapy, critical limb ischemia care, and interventional radiology and surgical procedures.The primary treatment goal for PAD...
245
01:26Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management
350
The nursing management of a patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD) begins with a thorough assessment of the patient’s health history and clinical manifestations.AssessmentHealth History: Evaluate the patient’s history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history of cardiovascular issues, and lifestyle factors such as dietary patterns, smoking, and physical activity.Physical Examination:Assess the affected extremity for decreased or absent peripheral pulses,...
350
01:30Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
314
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
314
01:20Arteries of Lower Limbs
4.3K
The external iliac artery transitions out of the body cavity, entering the femoral region of the lower leg, and is renamed the femoral artery at the point where it traverses the body wall. This artery is responsible for the distribution of blood to the thigh's deep muscles and the skin's ventral and lateral regions, achieved through several minor branches and the lateral deep femoral artery, which also spawns a lateral circumflex artery. The knee area receives blood from the genicular...
4.3K