DIABETES-MELLITUS IS NOT A CONTRAINDICATION FOR PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INTERVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH LEG ISCHEMIA

Background: The effect of diabetes mellitus an the patency of peripher al vascular interventions was investigated inpatients with arterial in sufficiency of the leg in a retrospective follow-up study performed be tween 1993 and 1995. Methods: In 65 patients without and 36 with diabe tes 124 vascular reconstructions were performed because of rest pain a nd/or ulceration. Results: In diabetic patients ulcers were found more frequently and more distal bypasses were performed. No significant di fferences were observed between diabetics and non-diabetics as to bypa ss patency, number of re-interventions and amputations. Smoking and ag e were significant factors influencing bypass patency. Conclusion. Dia betes mellitus in patients with critical leg ischaemia appears to be n o reason to refrain from vascular surgery.