The lack of cardiovascular risk factor management in patients with critical limb ischaemia.

Abstract Aim : to define the level of management of cardiovascular risk factors in patients treated for critical limb ischaemia in a vascular surgical setting. Materials and Methods : retrospective review of all (n =147) patients operated on for critical lower extremity ischaemia in 1998. We included pre- and postoperative cardiac events. Results : only eight (5%) (95% CI; 2–9) were on lipid lowering treatment and 58 (39%) (95% CI; 31–47) using acetylsalicylic acid. Conclusions : only a minority of patients operated on for CLI were receiving adequate cardiovascular risk factor modification.