Vortex topology and the continuum limit of lattice gauge theories

We study the stability of Z_2 topological vortex excitations in d+1 dimensional SU(2) Yang-Mills theory on the lattice at T=0. This is found to depend on d and on the coupling considered. We discuss the connection with lattice artifacts causing bulk transitions in the beta_A-beta_F plane and draw some conclusions regarding the continuum limit of the theory.