The influence of gender difference on the outcomes of infrainguinal bypass for critical limb ischaemia in Chinese patients

Purpose: to investigate the influence of gender difference on the outcomes of infrainguinal bypass operations performed in Chinese patients with critical limb ischaemia. Methods: we prospectively studied the results of 191 consecutive infrainguinal bypass operations (98 men, 93 women) for critical lower limb ischaemia in Chinese patients. Results: the women were older than men (median 75 vs 70 years, p=0.001) and cigarette smoking was commoner in men (83% vs 37% p<0.001). The calibre of run-off arteries at the level of distal anastomosis was smaller in women (median 2.5 mm vs 2.0 mm, p = 0.03). The 30-day mortality was 3% (five men vs one woman, p = 0.09) and early graft failure occurred in 19 patients (12 women vs seven men, p = 0.28). At 3 months limb loss occurred in 16 (10 women vs six men, p = 0.35) patients. Survival (38% vs 60% at 4 years, p = 0.12) was similar in men and women. However, women suffered from poorer primary (33% vs 49% at 3 years, p = 0.03) secondary graft patency rates (35% vs 64% at 3 years, p = 0.02) than men. Limb survival rate in two groups (75% vs 85% at 4 years, p = 0.18) was comparable. Conclusion: following infrainguinal bypass for critical limb ischaemia, early results were similar in both gender groups. In the long-term, women patients suffered from significantly higher graft failure rate. However, their long-term survival and limb salvage rate remained comparable to those of men.