Cardiac Morbidity and Operative Mortality following Lower-Extremity Amputation: The Significance of Multiple Eagle Criteria

p = 0.04) and decompensated heart failure (39% vs. 7%, p = 0.003) were predictive of adverse cardiac events. The only predictor of postoperative mortality was the presence of two or more Eagle criteria (15% vs. 4%, p = 0.004). Our evaluation of the results of this study led us to conclude that patients requiring major lower-extremity amputation for major vascular disease who have multiple Eagle criteria or decompensated congestive heart failure are at high risk for adverse cardiac events and postoperative death. These findings should be used to guide perioperative cardiac evaluation and therapy.