Racial differences in operation for peripheral vascular disease: results of a population-based study

Abstract

Operation for non-coronary atherosclerotic peripheral vascular occlusive disease may vary among race and gender groups. Using a state-wide registry, the authors identified all operations performed for infrarenal peripheral vascular disease over a 12-month period in a single south-eastern state. Procedures performed included reconstruction for aortoiliac ( n=641) and infrainguinal ( n=1129) disease and major amputation ( n=1077). The incidence for patients over age 50 was calculated using census data. Operation for aortoiliac disease was significantly more likely for white patients (relative risk 3.79, 95% C.I. 2.84–5.15), but less likely for infrainguinal peripheral vascular disease (relative risk 0.64, 95% C.I. 0.56–0.73) and amputation (relative risk 0.17, 95% C.I. 0.15–0.19). Trends toward lower operative mortality in blacks with aortoiliac disease (10.6% versus 12.0%), PVD (3.2% versus 3.5%), and amputation (5.5 versus 8.7%) failed to attain statistical significance. Patient race was associated with the type and location of operation performed for peripheral vascular disease. © 1997 The International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery.