title: Weekly and seasonal variation of hospital admissions and outcome in patients with acute lower limb ischaemia treated by surgical and endovascular means.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Finland.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Kuukasjärvi
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Salenius
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lepäntalo
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Luther
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Ylönen
mesh_terms: 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