title: Revascularization and quality of life for patients with limb-threatening ischemia.
abstract: Traditional outcomes following revascularization for chronic critical limb ischemia consider limb retention and hemodynamic results. Health-related quality of life is not measured. This study was undertaken to determine if surgery for chronic critical limb ischemia improves health-related quality of life. Forty-six patients undergoing revascularization (anklebrachial index <0.4 for nondiabetics, ankle-brachial index <0.6 for diabetics and rest pain or nonhealing ischemic ulcers) completed pre- and postoperative Short-Form 36 questionnaires, which were used to assess health-related quality of life in patients undergoing arterial reconstruction for chronic critical limb ischemia. Patients reported a mild improvement in functional status postoperatively, and overall low health-related quality of life. Health-related quality of life is slow to show progress following revascularization. Health-related quality of life should become an important outcomes end point.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. treti001@tc.umn.edu
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Tretinyak
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kuskowski
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Santilli
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects