Peripheral Arterial Embolism: 1961–1985

Abstract

A review of arterial embolism to upper and lower limbs from 1961 to 1985. During this period 253 paticnts were treated for 269 episodes of embolus at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. The period was divided into S year intervals and analysis showed significantly increasing age for the population over this period. Similarly il decreasing mortality rate was noted during this period although limb salvage did not change after the initial S year period. There was a rising incidence of atherosclerotic ischaemic heart disease and a decreasing incidcnce of rheumatic heart disease. The overall mortality rate was 15.6% while the overall amputation rate was X.2%. Factors significantly related to survival were acute myocardial infarction and level of occlusion. Factors significantly relating to morbidity were pre-operative heparin administration and performance of completion angiography. The performance of completion angiogrdphy was shown lo improve the result fmni cmbolectomy without having adverse influence on the mortality rate. The results of this review indicate that preoperative hepdrinization. the performance of completion angiography, and the flexibility to explore multiple levels of the limb circulation. are essential factors in the management of peripheral arterial embolism.

Arterial Embolectomy: A Retrospective Evaluation of 730 Cases over 20 Years

“…Whereas the incidence of rheumatic heart disease is decreasing, the incidences of atherosclerotic disease and arterial embolic disease are increasing. 2 The average age of patients with arterial embolic disease is 60-70 years, in accordance with our series, in which the average age was 58.7 years for men and 64.3 years for women.…”

“…Englund and Magee reported that the average rates of mortality and amputation associated with arterial emboli were 15.6% and 8.2%, respectively. 2 Shifrin et al reported successful revascularization in 70.9% of limbs in which peripheral emboli had developed an average of 2.7 days before surgical intervention. 7 In our study, the amputation and mortality rates were 5.3% and 3.7%, respectively, increasing as the time between the development of the embolism and admission to hospital became longer.…”

“…Angiography on completion of embolectomy confirmed improvement without having an adverse effect on the mortality rate. 2 Early diagnosis and treatment of acute arterial embolism is essential for reducing mortality and morbidity. Englund and Magee reported that the average rates of mortality and amputation associated with arterial emboli were 15.6% and 8.2%, respectively.…”

Analysis of Risk Factors for Amputation in 822 Cases with Acute Arterial Emboli

“…There is significant difference between the development of emboly and arrival at hospital from the point of amputation rates. Englund and Magee reported the amputation rate due to acute arterial emboli as 8.2% [ 16 ]. Shifrin et al indicated that the successful revascularization rate was 70.9% for the patients admitted to hospital in 2–7 days [ 17 ].…”

“…As it is understood from the study, late surgeries in acute arterial emboli increase the rate of amputations. It is reported in many studies that amputation rates were in the range of 0–18.9% [ 13 , 16 , 18 , 19 ]. The amputation rate in our study was found to be 13.6%.…”