Association of Smoking With Postprocedural Complications Following Open and Endovascular Interventions for Intermittent Claudication

Study (n=14,350 revascularizations) found smoking within 1 year of procedure linked to increase in risk of early postprocedural complication (by 48%) & risk of any complication decreased by 65% for never smokers & by 29% for former smokers (>1 year cessation) vs active smokers.

SPS commentary:

Editorial reiterates that tobacco use in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is associated with substantial increases in health care utilisation, including PAD-related hospitalisations and procedures for both coronary artery disease and PAD, and significantly greater costs. In addition, active smoking increases the risk of graft failure following limb bypass surgery, delays wound healing following endovascular intervention in patients with critical limb ischaemia, and increases the risk of amputation in patients with symptomatic PAD.

JAMA Cardiology

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Editorial