Abstract
Background
There is significant morbidity and mortality associated with acute limb ischaemia (ALI) and prognostication is complex. Current literature reports underutilisation of specialist palliative care (SPC) and lack of prognostic indicators to guide decision‐making and referral.
Objective/Aim
The aim of this study is to review and analyse demographic, clinical and mortality data for a cohort of ALI patients to determine potential prognostic indicators, SPC referral patterns and SPC services received.
Method
Retrospective clinical record reviews for a cohort of ALI patients referred to the Waikato Hospital Vascular Surgery team in a specified time period. This included laboratory, imaging and death documentation and functional status at baseline and ALI diagnosis.
Results
One hundred fifty‐five ALI patients were identified of whom 140 met the inclusion criteria. A 30‐day mortality was 19% and 1‐year mortality was 31% for the study cohort. Lactate > 2.2 mmol//L, albumin
Conclusion
The four independent predictors of mortality could be used to identify ALI patients with a poor prognosis, encourage earlier referral for SPC, support appropriate symptom management and enable discussions on patient priorities.