Results of vascular reconstructions for atherosclerotic arterial occlusive disease of the lower limbs in young adults

Abstract

To evaluate early and long-term results of vascular reconstructions for arterial atherosclerotic occlusive disease (AOD) of the lower limb in young patients under the age of 40 years. Retrospective study. University hospital. Twenty-nine young adults, who underwent vascular reconstruction for histologically proven AOD of the aortoiliac and/or femoropopliteal segments in a 15-year period. Early and late mortality, failure of vascular reconstructions, additional procedures, other manifestations of atherosclerosis, recurrence of symptoms. Nine patients (31%) died, seven related to atherosclerotic disease. In 21 patients (72%) initial vascular reconstruction(s) failed. Twenty-two patients (76%) underwent surgery for failures and/or progression of AOD in other segments of the lower limb. Amputation was performed in five patients (17%). At the end of the follow-up period only 25% of surviving patients were asymptomatic. Young patients undergoing vascular reconstructions for AOD of the lower limbs, in particular those who initially have extensive and progressive atherosclerosis, have a poor outcome in terms of a high mortality and a high operative failure rate. A liberal attitude towards reconstructive surgery, particularly in claudication, is not warranted.