Infrainguinal arterial reconstruction:: Female gender as risk factor for outcome

Objectives: the effect of gender on the long-term results of infrainguinal arterial reconstruction are poorly investigated. Methods: all patients undergoing infrainguinal arterial reconstruction with an autogenous vein are as 11 years period was prospectively evaluated. Results: four hundred and fifty reconstructions (292 man, 160 women) were performed as on 416 patients. Thirty-day mortality was 1.1% (n = 5). Women were on average older (74 vs 68; p < 0.001) and disease was more advanced (81 vs 68%, p = 0.013 with stage of critical ischaemia). Primary (58 vs 61%) and primary assisted patency rates (82 vs 84%) were comparable. Limb salvage and survival after 60 months were not different. On multivariate analysis age and stage of the disease were independent variables for patency and survival. Diabetes and gender reached statistical significance as predictors of limb salvage only. Conclusion:age and stage of the disease were independent predictors for patency and survival, diabetes and gender for limb salvage.