title: Predictors of outcome when reoperating for early infrainguinal bypass occlusion.
abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that predict outcome after intervention for early (<30 days) infrainguinal graft thrombosis. We reviewed the medical records, arteriograms, and follow-up studies of patients who underwent infrainguinal bypass for limb salvage between 8/91 and 9/98 and whose graft failed <30 days from the index procedure. Five factors were analyzed: (1) conduit: single segment saphenous vein versus alternative vein or composite conduit (20 vs. 13 patients); (2) repair modality: construction of a new graft at the time of the initial take-back procedure versus local revision and/or thrombectomy alone (12 vs. 21 patients); (3) run-off: good run-off versus poor run-off (20 vs. 13 patients); (4) operative findings: the presence of a correctable problem versus noncorrectable problem (20 vs. 13 patients); and (5) surgical history: previous versus no previous ipsilateral bypass (16 vs. 17 patients). These variables are statistically significant risk factors that can be used in combination to predict outcome. Unless a focal lesion clearly responsible for graft occlusion is found, complete graft replacement should be considered even if the new bypass must be prosthetic. The costs and morbidity of repeated procedures argue for primary amputation when adverse risk factors exist.
authors.affiliation: Section on Vascular Surgery, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia 19106, USA.
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dougherty
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Calligaro
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schindler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Raviola
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D012307:Risk Factors; D017131:Thrombectomy; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation