Abstract:Objective To analyze the features of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease in the elderly patients by digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and the serum level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in order to evaluate the diagnostic significance of hs-CRP testing. Methods Clinical data of 41 elderly patients with lower extremity arterial occlusive disease in our department from January 2008 to December 2012 were collected in this study. The clinical characteristics, blood pressure, gender differences, DSA features and serum level of hs-CRP were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation of serum level of hs-CRP was analyzed with angiographic results. Results DSA results indicated that the cohort of patients were characterized as multi-vessel?and diffuse lesions, poor collateral circulation and severe symptoms. So conservative treatments were mainly carried out for them. No obvious change was found in male blood pressure, but female patients had higher systolic pressure than male patients. The serum level of hs-CRP was obviously higher in the elderly patients with lower extremity arterial occlusive disease. But no significant difference was seen in the level between male and female patients. It also had no correlation with the severity (P<0.05). Conclusion DSA shows that the lower extremity arteries in elderly patients with occlusive lesions have unique features. The blood pressure of the patients is increased and has gender difference. Serum level of hs-CRP is elevated in most patients, but has no gender difference and no correlation with the severity of lesions.