title: Association between cardiovascular diseases and mobility in persons with lower limb amputation: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Persons requiring a lower limb amputation often have cardiovascular diseases that reduce cardiac function, which may complicate recovery and rehabilitation after an amputation. This systematic review analysis the association between cardiovascular diseases and mobility in persons with a lower limb amputation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four databases were searched for studies published before August 2016 using database-specific keywords and synonyms for amputation, cardiovascular diseases and mobility. Assessment of the publications was performed based on predefined criteria; first title and abstract and thereafter the full text.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1704 titles and abstracts, 51 full texts were assessed. Ten studies were included. Cardiovascular diseases were associated with cardiac complications during rehabilitation. Prosthetic training improved cardiac function. Seven studies showed that cardiovascular diseases were associated with a smaller chance of becoming a prosthetic walker, and with poorer mobility outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence for effects of cardiovascular diseases on mobility in persons with a lower limb amputation is heterogeneous. Cardiovascular diseases reduce the chance of becoming a prosthetic walker and reduce mobility outcomes after a lower limb amputation. More research with adequate quality about cardiovascular diseases in persons requiring a lower limb amputation is needed, to enable informed choices in the pre- and post-amputation rehabilitation. Implications for rehabilitation Data about the effect of cardiovascular diseases on mobility in persons with a lower limb amputation is limited. More research about cardiovascular diseases in persons requiring a lower limb amputation is needed, to enable informed choices in the pre- and post-amputation rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaptein
authors.affiliation: a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan H B
authors.initials: JHB
authors.lastname: Geertzen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.|b Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery , University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pieter U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
mesh_terms: D000674:Amputees; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D051346:Mobility Limitation
keywords: Amputation; cardiovascular diseases; mobility limitation