Effects of vascular surgery on amputation rates and mortality

Objectives:To study the relation between rates of vascular interventions, amputations and mortality in a defined population.Design:Retrospective comparison between two consecutive 4-year periods.Setting:Swedish district hospital covering a population of 125 000.Material:Three hundred and sixty-seven lower limb amputations and 1080 vascular procedures.Results:The number of legs treated for limb-threatening ischaemia with either revascularisation or amputation increased from 269 to 289. The rate of vascular interventions for limb-threatening ischaemia increased from the first to the second period by 65%, while the rate of amputations decreased by 23%. Limb salvage rate at 30 months increased from 37% to 53% (p