title: Infrapopliteal bypass grafting: use of upper limb vein alone and in autogenous composite grafts.
abstract: Thirty-seven consecutive vein grafts to the infrapopliteal arteries are reviewed. Upper limb vein was used in each case, either for the entire graft (27%) or in combination with saphenous vein (73%). The grafts were inserted during a 10-year period and constituted 8.6% of the lower limb grafts carried out during this time. There was one postoperative death (2.7%). The patency rate at 3 years was 58 +/- 9.5% and at 5 years 49.1 +/- 11.5%. Indications for the use of upper limb vein in these situations are considered, and the results are compared with those obtainable with other materials. Upper limb vein can provide a satisfactory arterial substitute in the lower limb, and it may occasionally be the material of choice.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000637:transplantation; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene