title: Long-term evaluation of composite sequential bypass for limb-threatening ischemia.
abstract: When sufficient vein for a completely autogenous femorotibial artery bypass is not available, composite sequential grafting by using vein combined with polytetrafluoroethylene material is a surgical option. This study reviews what is currently the largest collection of these grafts and focuses on technical aspects and long-term patency characteristics. During a 7-year period 67 composite sequential bypasses were used to manage rest pain (38), ulcer (18), or gangrene (11) in 62 patients (mean age, 66 years). Fifty-two percent were men, and 51% had diabetes. This method was used as a primary reconstruction in 30, a second bypass in 16, and in 21 it was used after multiple other failed bypasses. Femoral to above-knee popliteal (44) and below-knee popliteal (23) 6 mm polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were placed. Then extensions of greater saphenous (57) or lesser saphenous (10) vein were anastomosed to the anterior tibial (19), posterior tibial (26), or peroneal (22) arteries. Fifty-three percent were maintained on long-term warfarin (Coumadin) anticoagulation, and 33% were maintained on aspirin. No deaths occurred in the perioperative period. Bypass patency was ascertained by a Doppler pressure and waveform analysis, with mean follow-up of patency or to the time of graft failure of 33 months (1 to 91 months). Three-year patient survival was 72%. Cumulative life-table primary patency of 72% (1-year), 64% (2-year), and 48% (3-year) was calculated. Two grafts are functioning 7 years after placement. Limb salvage was 84% at 2 years and 70% at 4 years. At the time of failure, five grafts retained a patent venous bypass segment, which allowed prompt reconstruction of the proximal portion. In a comparison of grafts with early failure and those with long-term patency, the SVS/ISCVS runoff score, vein diameter, tibial artery diameter, and coagulation status were similar. However, patients with the popliteal anastomosis above the knee had 2-year patency of 72% compared with 46% for those with below-knee anastomoses. This technique, when possible, appears preferable to an all prosthetic tibial bypass.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Flinn
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: McGee
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene