Aortic aneurysms as late sequelae of above-knee amputation.
The infrarenal aorta was examined by ultrasound in 329 men who had lost a leg in World War II and in 702 war veterans. The groups were similar in terms of age and risk factors for arteriosclerosis. Abdominal aortic aneurysms were found in 5.8% of the amputees compared with 1.1% of the non-amputees. Unilateral flow reduction after leg amputation causes an asymmetrical flow pattern at the aortic bifurcation, and this is probably the main cause of late damage to the aorta.
Vollmar
J F
JF
Department of Vascular, Thoracic, and Cardiac Surgery, University of Ulm/Donau, West Germany.
Paes
E
E
Pauschinger
P
P
Henze
E
E
Friesch
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D013848:Thigh / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors