A new look at peripheral vascular disease in blacks: a two-year update.

A comprehensive overview of 66 patients-the majority of whom were black-undergoing distal lower extremity revascularization for severe atherosclerotic ischemia with impending limb loss is presented. Twenty-five patients are presently two-years postoperative, 19 are one-year post revascularization, and 22 are new additions having undergone revascularization within the last year.Patients in the study group are presented according to race, sex, and age. Their histories and pre-operative clinical conditions, along with angiographic and operative findings lead to the identification of a previously undescribed atherosclerotic phenomenon present among blacks. The impact of an aggressive program for limb salvage is reported and the prospect of avoiding needless limb loss is discussed.