Infrainguinal revascularization in the diabetic patient

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Abstract
This article reviews the epidemiological, anatomical and physiological background to infrainguinal arterial reconstruction in the diabetic patient. There is no firm evidence in the literature for the existence of a surgically significant occlusive ‘small-vessel’ disease in diabetic patients, either as an aetiological component in the pathogenesis of diabetic foot lesions or as a factor limiting the success of infrainguinal bypass grafting. Recent published results of infrainguinal vascular reconstruction in patients with diabetes are reviewed. These are encouraging; early aggressive treatment of lower-limb occlusive disease may be warranted in the diabetic patient.