Long-term functional status and quality of life after lower extremity revascularization

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the longer term (up to 7 years) functional status and quality of life outcomes from lower extremi ty revascularization. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional telephone survey and chart review at the University of Minnesota Hospital. The subjects were pat ients who underwent their first lower extremity revascularization procedure or a primary amputation for vascular disease between January 1, 1989, and January 31, 1995, who had granted consent or had died. The main outcome mea sures were ability to walk, SF-36 physical function, SF-12, subsequent ampu tation, and death. Results: The medical records for all 329 subjects were reviewed after the q ualifying procedures for details of the primary procedure (62.6% arterial b ypass graft, 36.8% angioplasty, 0.6% atherectomy), comorbidities (64% diabe tics), severity of disease, and other vascular risk factors. All 166 patien ts who were living were surveyed by telephone between June and August 1996. At 7 years after the qualifying procedure, 73% of the patients who were al ive still had the qualifying limb, although 63% of the patients had died. O verall, at the time of the follow-up examination (1 to 7.5 years after the qualifying procedure), 65% of the patients who were living were able to wal k independently and 43% had little or no limitation in walking several bloc ks. In a multiple regression model, patients with diabetes and patients who were older were less likely to be able to walk at follow-up examination an d had a worse functional status on the SF-36 and a lower physical health on the SF-12. Number of years since the procedure was not a predictor in any of the analyses. Conclusion: Although the long-term mortality rate is high in the population that undergoes lower limb revascularization, the survivors are likely to r etain their limb over time and have good functional status.