Trends in the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of acute lower extremity ischemia in the United States Medicare population.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Acute lower extremity ischemia (ALI) is a common vascular surgery emergency associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess contemporary trends in the incidence of ALI, the methods of treatment, and the associated mortality and amputation rates in the U.S. Medicare population.

Methods

This was an observational study using Medicare claims data between 1998 and 2009. Outcomes examined included trends in the incidence of ALI; trends in interventions for ALI; and trends in amputation, mortality, and amputation-free survival rates.

Results

Between 1998 and 2009, the incidence of hospitalization for ALI decreased from 45.7 per 100,000 to 26.0 per 100,000 (P for trend < .001). The percentage of patients undergoing surg

SUBMITTER: Baril DT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4492305 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature