Secondary prevention of arteriosclerosis in lower limb vascular amputees: a missed opportunity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the numbers of patients with peripheral vascular disease prescribed secondary prevention agents following a lower limb amputation.


METHODS
A retrospective cross sectional study.


METHODS
The clinical documentation of 107 vascular amputees (mean age 69.5, 2:1 male:female ratio) referred for prosthesis provision in 2004 and 2005 were analysed to determine levels of prescribing of anti-platelet agents, anti-coagulants and cholesterol lowering drugs.


RESULTS
Analysis of vascular amputees referred in 2004 and 2005 reveals that 41% were prescribed a statin and 39% were prescribed a statin and 60% an anti-platelet agent. While 39% of these patients were on both drugs, 32% had been prescribed neither.


CONCLUSIONS
The medical management of patients with severe peripheral vascular disease, even where their disease has led to an amputation, is sub-optimal.
Bradley
L
L
Disablement Services Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.
Kirker
S G B
SG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors