Peripheral Arterial Disease and Bypass Surgery in the Diabetic Lower Limb

By 2030 it is estimated that there will be 439 million people in the world living with diabetes. Diabetes is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD). One of the commonest and most costly causes of admission to hospital for a person with diabetes is foot and lower limb complications, which often lead to amputation. The number of people with diabetes who develop foot complications and have PAD will increase and they are at significant risk of poor ulcer healing and limb loss. This article examines the role of surgical revascularisation in these patients.