title: Femoropopliteal bypass with externally supported knitted Dacron grafts: a follow-up of 200 grafts for one to twelve years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article reports our experience with externally supported, preclotted knitted Dacron grafts in femoropopliteal bypass.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 154 patients who received 200 grafts (175 above knee and 25 below knee). Follow-up extended to 12 years (mean 59 1/2 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary patency rates for the entire series were 75%, 70%, and 47% at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Above-knee grafts had 76%, 71%, and 50% rates and 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. Below-knee grafts had 65% and 57% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Limb-salvage rates were 87%, 79%, and 73% at 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively, for the 57 limbs operated on because of critical ischemia. The most significant predictor of graft failure was poor runoff as determined by preoperative arteriography. The effect of poor runoff was most pronounced in the first 3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Externally supported, preclotted knitted Dacron grafts provide encouraging primary patency rates for above-knee femoropopliteal bypass. Poor leg vessel runoff is a major determinant of early graft failure.
authors.affiliation: Hope Heart Institute, Providence Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98122.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: el-Massry
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saad
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Sauvage
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zammit
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Rittenhouse
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates