title: Diabetes mellitus is not a contra-indication for peripheral vascular intervention in patients with leg ischemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of diabetes mellitus on the patency of peripheral vascular interventions was investigated in patients with arterial insufficiency of the leg in a retrospective follow-up study performed between 1993 and 1995.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 65 patients without and 36 with diabetes 124 vascular reconstructions were performed because of rest pain and/or ulceration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In diabetic patients ulcers were found more frequently and more distal bypasses were performed. No significant differences were observed between diabetics and non-diabetics as to bypass patency, number of re-interventions and amputations. Smoking and age were significant factors influencing bypass patency.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetes mellitus in patients with critical leg ischaemia appears to be no reason to refrain from vascular surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Ubbink
authors.forename: I I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Tulevski
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Legemate
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D000075202:Contraindications; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000601:surgery*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000601:surgery*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome