Arterial embolectomy: a review of 100 cases

The results of 100 consecutive patients undergoing arterial embolectomy at the Royal Brisbane Hospital between 1971 and 1981 are presented. Twenty-two patients died and 18 of these had unsuccessful procedures. Of the 82 patients surviving more than 30 days, 14 had a limb amputated and 12 underwent further vascular surgery. Duration of ischaemia was the most important predictive factor; 75% of cases with an ischaemia time of less than 12 h had a successful outcome whereas only 37% were successful when the ischaemia time exceeded 12 h. Anticoagulation improved the success rate, but resulted in a high incidence of wound haematoma.