Articles
An audit of Global Vascular Guidelines implementation at two large teaching hospitals in differing healthcare settings
Introduction Chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) is the most severe form of peripheral arterial disease, associated with high rates of morbidity, mortality, and limb loss.1 CLTI creates significant costs to healthcare systems across the globe. Between 2020 and 2021 alone, the financial burden of non-elective amputations cost the National Health Service (NHS) over £115 million.2 Therefore,…
An audit of glycaemic control and impact on surgical outcomes among inpatients with critical limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI)
Introduction Chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI) is the most severe presentation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and affects 1% of the population in the UK.1 PAD is a common disease among patients with diabetes mellitus,2 and the relative risk of PAD increases with increasing duration and severity of diabetes.3 As diabetes is a major driver of…
Psychological needs of individuals with peripheral arterial disease: a narrative review
Introduction Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic occlusive process that involves the arteries of the extremities and burdens up to a quarter of a billion individuals globally. It is ranked as the third leading cause of atherosclerotic morbidity after coronary artery disease and stroke, making it one of the leading causes of disability. The…
Outcome measurement for vascular amputee patients: a scoping survey of UK clinical practice
Introduction Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or diabetes is the largest cause of major amputation.1 Individuals who have undergone an amputation due to vascular disease (‘vascular amputees’) often have multiple comorbidities, are older, frail,2 have decreased physical function and live with disability following their amputation.3,4 Vascular amputees often do not wear a prosthesis for ambulation for…
Surgical Site Infection in Major Lower Limb Amputation (SIMBA): an international multicentre audit: baseline unit survey
Introduction Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common complication following any surgical procedure, accounting for 20% of all hospital-associated infections.1 The incidence of SSI following major lower limb amputation (MLLA) is particularly high, with a recent systematic review reporting an overall incidence of 7.2% and single-centre studies reporting rates up to 27%.2 SSIs are a…
