title: Diabetic critical ischemia of lower limbs: distal arterial revascularisation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcomes of ischemic diabetic foot lesions for which distal arterial bypass grafting was considered as the first-line vascular procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 2004 and November 2006, 19 lower limbs of 17 diabetic patients with lower limb critical ischemia were operated in our department. The bypass grafts included five femoro-popliteal bypass grafts below knee and 14 distal bypass grafts. The 14 distal bypass grafts included; seven venous grafts on the dorsalis pedis artery, four femorotibial PTFE grafts and three femoroperoneal grafts. Arterio-venous fistula was applied to the distal anastomosis site in three limbs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of discharge, the graft patency rate was 93.75%. The mean follow up period was 24 months. The primary cumulative patency rate was 63% at 2 year. The corresponding secondary patency rate was 87%. Among six ischemic ulcers, four ulcers healed within 2 to 12 months (66.6%). At 24 months, the cumulative rate of limb salvage was 76% and that of survival was 74%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distal arterial bypass in diabetic lower limb ischemia improves blood circulation that accelerates foot ulcer healing. It can also avoid amputation or lower its level, and thus improving the patient's quality of life.
authors: Department of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, CHU Brest, La Cavale Blanche Hospital, Brest, France.
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Khalifa
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Gueret
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Badra
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Gouny
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome