Weekly and seasonal variation of hospital admissions and outcome in patients with acute lower limb ischaemia treated by surgical and endovascular means.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate weekly and seasonal variation of hospital admissions, major amputations and mortality in patients treated for acute leg ischaemia by surgical and endovascular procedures.


METHODS



METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
University (5), central (16) and district (4) hospitals participating in the Finnish national vascular registry Finnvasc.


METHODS
1550 patients treated for acute leg ischaemia on the basis of the registry.


METHODS
Surgical or endovascular revascularisation.


METHODS
Day of the week of hospital admission, major amputation and death.


RESULTS
The weekly pattern of the hospital admissions was significantly non-uniform with a Monday peak and a weekend nadir. A tendency towards more hospital admissions in the winter season was found. PATIENTS hospitalised on Thursday or Friday tended to have a lower amputation rate compared to those hospitalised in any other day of week. The highest amputation and mortality rates were observed in the summer season.


CONCLUSIONS
PATIENTS with acute leg ischaemia seek medical help in a non-uniform weekly and seasonal pattern with varying outcomes.
Kuukasjärvi
P
P
Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
Salenius
J P
JP
Lepäntalo
M
M
Luther
M
M
Ylönen
K
K
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D012621:Seasons; D016896:Treatment Outcome