Risk factors, medical therapies and perioperative events in limb salvage surgery: Observations from the PREVENT III multicenter trial

A significant percentage of the population that undergoes surgical revascularization for CLI is not prescribed therapies of proven benefit in reducing cardiovascular events. Utilization of antithrombotics and β-blockers increases during hospitalization for limb salvage surgery but that of lipid-lowering therapy does not. African-American patients appear to be at greater risk for undertreatment with antithrombotics, and the data suggest that patients undergoing leg bypass surgery in a university hospital setting receive more comprehensive medical treatment of atherosclerosis. Treatment guidelines for medical therapy are needed to standardize care and improve outcomes for patients with CLI.