title: Axillofemoral bypass operations in Kuopio University Hospital 1985-1996.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Axillofemoral bypass has been used since the 1960's in poor-risk patients with aortoiliac atherosclerotic occlusive disease to improve arterial circulation in the lower extremities. This article describes the outcome of 84 consecutive operations in our hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the period 1.1.1985-31.5.1996, 84 axillofemoral bypass operations were performed in our hospital. In this retrospective study, information was based on patient records and clinical follow-up examination for surviving patients living in the area of Kuopio province and operated before the end of 1995. Patencies and survivals were established using the life table method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The primary patency rate was 81.1 % at one year, 64.3 % at three years and 56.7 % at five years. The secondary patency rates were 92.1%, 67.1% and 57.7 %, respectively. The operative mortality rate was 6.0%. Eighty-five percent of the patients were alive one year after the operation, compared to 50 % after five years. Serious complications were rare, but local wound complications occurred in 29 %. Vascular reoperations were needed in 29 %, particularly thrombectomies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Axillofemoral bypass gives acceptable results in the treatment of lower leg ischaemia in elderly poor-risk patients.
authors.affiliation: The University of Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jämsén
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tulla
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loponen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D001366:Axillary Artery / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000601:surgery; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency