Background: We evaluated preoperative features of patients with acute peripheral arterial occlusions and the results of surgical treatment performed.

Methods: The study included 128 patients (65 men, 63 women; mean age 64 years; range 25 to 90 years) who were admitted with acute arterial occlusion between January 1994 and December 2003. The patients were divided into two groups according to the duration of intervention from the appearance of symptoms, namely, within 12 hours, group I, and after 12 hours, group II. Amputation and mortality rates were evaluated.

Results: Sixty patients (46.9%) presented within the first 12 hours, and 68 patients (53.1%) presented with a delay of more than 12 hours. The most frequent localization of thromboembolism was the femoropopliteal area (65.1%) and cardiac pathologies were the most common cause (60.9%). Amputation rates were 6.7% and 16.2%, and mortality rates were 1.7% and 13.2% in group I and II, respectively.

Conclusion: Acute arterial occlusions are associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Early diagnosis and intervention as well as monitoring other organ functions play a significant role in decreasing mortality and morbidity.

Keywords : Amputation; arterial occlusive diseases/etiology/ surgery; ischemia; peripheral vascular diseases/etiology/surgery; thromboembolism; thrombolytic therapy; vascular surgical procedures