Aorto-iliac occlusive disease in the different population groups--clinical pattern, risk profile and results of reconstruction.
BACKGROUND
It has previously been accepted that atherosclerotic disease is uncommon among blacks worldwide; however, recent studies have increasingly reported atherosclerotic disease in this group.


METHODS
Prospective study of hospital patients with aorto-iliac occlusive disease presenting to the vascular service of the Durban metropolitan hospitals. The study was designed to assess clinical pattern, risk profile and results of reconstruction in these patients.


METHODS
This is a study of 688 patients with aorto-iliac occlusive disease managed over 9 years in Durban, with clinical pattern and risk factors compared in the different population groups. A subgroup of 492 patients underwent aortobifemoral bypass, providing material for comparison of the results of reconstruction in the different population groups.


RESULTS
More black patients presented with gangrene and threatened limb, whereas whites tended to present early with claudication. All groups had hypertension and diabetes as risk factors. In addition, whites and Indians had ischaemic heart disease, which was not found among blacks. Mortality was 5% (blacks 1.8%, whites 8.5%, Indians 5%). Medium-term occlusion rates were 19% in blacks, 13% in Indians and 5% among whites. Five-year cumulative patency rates were 92% for whites, 77% for Indians and 74% for blacks.


CONCLUSIONS
Whites do significantly better than blacks, who tend to present at an advanced stage of the disease. The presence of ischaemic heart disease among whites and Indians contributes to the higher mortality in these groups.
Madiba
T E
TE
Department of Surgery, University of Natal, Durban.
Mars
M
M
Robbs
J V
JV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000601:surgery*; D044383:Black People; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014654:Vascular Patency; D044465:White People