Cryopreserved arterial allografts for in situ reconstruction of infected arterial vessels.
OBJECTIVE
To review our experience of using cryopreserved allografts for in situ reconstruction in the presence of infection involving the aorta, iliac or femoral arteries.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
From 3/2000 to 8/2003 all patients with mycotic aneurysms or secondary infection following earlier prosthetic replacement were treated with cryopreserved human allografts. Forty-two patients, 39 (93%) with a prosthetic graft infection and 3 (7%) with a mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta were treated. Six (14%) had aorto-enteric fistulas, 5 (12%) had ruptured aneurysms, and 2 also had vertebral destruction. The median follow-up time was 20 months (range 1-42 months).


RESULTS
Thirty-day mortality was 14%. Three patients died due to multi-organ failure, two patients died from hypovolaemic shock due to allograft rupture and one from rupture of the native aorta. The overall mortality was 24% (four additional patients). Graft patency was 100% at 30 days and 97% at follow up in the survivors. The mean actuarial survival time was 32 months (95% CI=27-37 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Cryopreserved allografts for the in situ reconstruction of infected arteries or grafts have acceptable intermediate results.
Teebken
O E
OE
Division of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Pichlmaier
M A
MA
Brand
S
S
Haverich
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000785:Aneurysm, Infected / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D001158:Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D014654:Vascular Patency