title: The effect of arterial reconstruction on lower limb amputation rate. An epidemiological survey based on reports from Danish hospitals.
abstract: During the period 1 April-31 December 1976, the incidence rates of admission, of amputation and of arterial reconstruction for arteriosclerosis of the lower limbs were calculated from information in the Danish National Patient Register. Admissions increased with age (from 4.3 per 100,000 persons under 40 years of age per year to 1603 per 100.000 persons over 80 years per year). Similarly, lower limb amputations varied with age (from 0.3 to 226 per 100.000 persons per year). Arterial reconstructions, however, did not vary with age, but remained rather constant at about 50 per 100.000 persons per year, in persons over 50 years. The incidence rates of admissions, amputations and arterial reconstructions in men were 1.5 x the incidence rates in women. Both amputation and arterial reconstruction showed a significant regional variation from county to county. However, the rates were not correlated, and the expected amputation-preventing-effect of arterial reconstructions could not be demonstrated. The most probable cause for this was the inadequate capacity for vascular surgery in Denmark. An estimation shows that of the 1100 operated on for severe lower limb ischemia during the period studied, only 290 were offered arterial reconstruction.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors