Acute ischaemia of the upper limb compared with acute lower limb ischaemia; a 5-year review.
A series of 61 patients with acute upper limb ischaemia treated over a 5-year period is analysed and compared with patients presenting with acute lower limb ischaemia during the same period. The mean age was 74 years with a female to male ratio of 2.2:1. Eighty-two per cent were treated by operation. Three patients died and no survivors required a major or minor limb amputation, in contrast to a 5 per cent major limb amputation rate in patients with acute lower limb ischaemia. Mortality for upper limb ischaemia was 5 per cent compared with a 30 per cent mortality rate in patients with acute lower limb ischaemia in whom cardiopulmonary debility (New York Heart Association score 3-4) was significantly greater.
Stonebridge
P A
PA
Vascular Surgery Unit, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK.
Clason
A E
AE
Duncan
A J
AJ
Nolan
B
B
Jenkins
A M
AM
Ruckley
C V
CV
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies