Influence of systemic factors on pre-existing intimal hyperplasia and their effect on the outcome of infrainguinal arterial reconstruction with vein.
BACKGROUND
The association between raised levels of homocysteine, fibrinogen and lipoprotein (a), and the presence of pre-existing intimal hyperplasia (IH) in vein has not been assessed. The positive association between such hyperplasia and graft failure following infrainguinal arterial reconstruction, and between lipoprotein (a) and graft failure, is disputed. The influence of homocysteine on outcome has not been investigated prospectively.


METHODS
Fifty-seven patients (63 grafts) undergoing infrainguinal arterial reconstruction with saphenous vein were studied. Homocysteine, fibrinogen and lipoprotein (a) levels were measured, and a vein biopsy was taken at operation. Patients underwent graft surveillance and outcome at 12 months was determined.


RESULTS
Fifty-seven per cent of patients had hyperhomocysteinaemia. Patients with pre-existing IH had significantly higher homocysteine levels. There was no association between homocysteine and outcome, or between fibrinogen and pre-existing IH or outcome. Lipoprotein (a) levels were significantly lower in patients with pre-existing disease, and were lower, but not significantly, in those whose grafts failed. The correlation between pre-existing IH and vein graft failure was highly significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperhomocysteinaemia is associated with peripheral vascular disease and the development of pre-existing IH in vein, which itself is associated with vein graft failure.
Beattie
D K
DK
Department of Surgery, Imperial College of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
Sian
M
M
Greenhalgh
R M
RM
Davies
A H
AH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D006710:Homocysteine; D005340:Fibrinogen