CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE RISK-FACTORS IN COMBAT VETERANS AFTER TRAUMATIC LEG AMPUTATIONS

  • 1 January 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 68  (1) , 20-23
Abstract
Traumatic leg amputation, but not arm amputation, in World War II combat veterans has been associated with subsequent increased ischemic heart disease mortality. In a pilot project we examined a group of 19 high-risk Vietnam War veterans with bilateral above-knee amputations in comparison with a control group with unilateral below-elbow amputations. Nine of the 19 above-knee amputees were hypertensive (p=0.05) and obese by hydrostatic weighing (P <0.001). Obesity was strongly associated with hypertension, decreased glucose tolerance, and marked hyperinsulinemia. Cigarette smoking, blood lipid abnormalities, and decreased cardiovascular fitness were not implicated as significant risk factors. Long-term risks of amputation may be related to metabolic and hemodynamic sequelae of excessive maturity-onset weight gain in young men immobilized by loss of lower limbs.