Femoropopliteal reconstructions--influence of risk factors on outcome

The influence of risk factors on the outcome of femoro-popliteal reconstructions was analysed in a retrospective study of 207 patients undergoing 218 reconstructions to the popliteal artery in a regional hospital and in an academic referral centre. Increasing severity of preoperative ischaemia was associated with decreasing leg salvage and survival rates. The patients' sex, age and diabetes did not influence patency or leg salvage. Diabetes was associated with a decreased survival. An integrated outcome analysis combining patency, leg salvage and survival data was carried out. Although when separately analysed, patency, leg salvage and survival were similar in critical leg ischaemia (CLI) patients less than 70 and over 70 years of age, the combined analysis showed a difference in outcome with fewer patients alive with a functioning graft and leg in the older age group. However, the percentage achieving leg salvage up to three years or until death was similar. It is suggested that a combined analysis of patency, leg salvage and survival could be used to give useful additional information on the outcome after vascular reconstructions for CLI.