Peripheral arterial embolism. a follow-up examination of 48 embolectomized patients
Lorentzen, M.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 142(31): 1995-1996
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 7404819 Document Number: 167665
The results of 51 embolectomies in 48 patients are presented. Of the limbs 46 (90%) were saved initially and 5 were amputated. The frequency of amputation increased with prolonged ischemia but, even in cases of late revascularization, the results were good. Arterial embolism in extremities was demonstrated not only to involve the risk of amputation but also, to a very great extent, a risk to life. Thus, 46% of the patients died within the 1st postoperative mo. on account of the basic cardiovascular disease. The fact that amputation was a further strain on this patient group is emphasized by the observation that all patients submitted to amputation died within 6 mo. In the remainder of the patients, the course of life corresponded to that in the normal population with retention of a functioning extremity. Embolectomy should be offered to all patients with embolism in an extremity threatening amputation, regardless of the duration of the ischemia, unless the lesion is obviously irreversible.