Variations of rates of vascular surgical procedures for chronic critical limb ischaemia and lower limb amputation rates in western Swedish counties. The Westcoast Vascular Surgeons (WVS) Study Group.

Abstract

To assess a possible covariation between vascular surgery and amputation rates for critical limb ischaemia in defined western Swedish populations. A retrospective study during 1 year of the total number of vascular reconstructions for chronic critical leg ischaemia and amputations in the western Sweden area of health care. Correlation between vascular reconstruction and amputation rates in subpopulations. Patients undergoing amputation were 6 years older and had a significantly higher degree of dependent living compared with those subjected to revascularisation. The annual vascular reconstruction rate for critical limb ischaemia varied between 2 and 45, and the amputation rate between 12 and 71 per 100,000 population in the different catchment areas. There was, however, no negative correlation between amputation and revascularisation rates. We failed to demonstrate a negative correlation between amputation and revascularisation rates. Patients undergoing vascular reconstruction and amputation may represent different populations. Catchment areas with high vascular surgical activity did not have correspondingly lower amputation rates.