Amputation or revascularization in the > 70 year old.

An aggressive posture toward limb salvage in the elderly was assessed by retrospective review of a 5 year experience. A total of 302 primary lower extremity revascularizations and 465 primary major amputations were performed; of these, 62 per cent (472/767) were performed in patients 70 years or older (range 70-104, mean 78). Psychosocial status was utilized to indicate primary amputation; revascularization was attempted in all patients capable of ambulation or transfer. Revascularization was performed in 119 patients >70 years old (44 femoropopliteal, femorotibial, or sequential, 24 extraanatomic, and 11 miscellaneous) with a 30-day mortality of 8 per cent, thrombosis 12 per cent, and early amputation 7 per cent