title: Infrainguinal revascularization in the diabetic patient.
abstract: This article reviews the epidemiological, anatomical and physiological background to infrainguinal arterial reconstruction in the diabetic patient. There is no firm evidence in the literature for the existence of a surgically significant occlusive 'small-vessel' disease in diabetic patients, either as an aetiological component in the pathogenesis of diabetic foot lesions or as a factor limiting the success of infrainguinal bypass grafting. Recent published results of infrainguinal vascular reconstruction in patients with diabetes are reviewed. These are encouraging; early aggressive treatment of lower-limb occlusive disease may be warranted in the diabetic patient.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Surgery Unit, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Stonebridge
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Murie
mesh_terms: D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures