ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of intraoperative graft flow and resistance measurements and a graft surveillance program to predict at-risk infra-inguinal bypass grafts. METHODS: Four hundred sixty-eight infra-inguinal bypass procedures performed between 1995-2006 underwent intraoperative measurement of graft flow and resistance using a Scimed OpDop. These data were correlated with graft outcome at six weeks. Two hundred fifty-four (73%) grafts were entered into a graft surveillance program and the effect of this on primary-assisted graft patency was assessed. RESULTS: Overall primary and primary-assisted graft patency was 81% and 83% at six weeks and 42% and 64% at three years. Grafts failing by six weeks had significantly lower flow (130.5 mL/min vs. 150.5 mL/min, P = .009) and higher resistance (0.67 peripheral resistance units (PRU) vs. 0.57 PRU, P = .004) than those remaining patent. However, OpDop measured flow and resistance was a poor predictor of graft failure in individual cases (area under ROC curve, 0.57). While there was no statistical difference in primary 18-month patency rates between grafts undergoing surveillance and those undergoing clinical follow up (55% vs. 76%, P = .133), primary-assisted 18-month patency rates were significantly higher in the surveillance group (83% vs. 77%, P = .042). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative measurements of graft flow and resistance do not predict graft outcome at six weeks. However, surveillance does identify at-risk grafts and improves mid-term primary-assisted patency.
Subject(s)
Graft Occlusion, Vascular/diagnostic imaging , Lower Extremity/blood supply , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/surgery , Ultrasonography, Doppler , Ultrasonography, Interventional , Vascular Patency , Vascular Resistance , Veins/transplantation , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Graft Occlusion, Vascular/etiology , Graft Occlusion, Vascular/physiopathology , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Male , Middle Aged , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Peripheral Vascular Diseases/physiopathology , Predictive Value of Tests , Program Evaluation , Prospective Studies , Regional Blood Flow , Registries , Risk Assessment , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
We present our experience with a technique of endarterectomy for use in patients with iliofemoral occlusive disease, in which the atheromatous plug is extruded from the intact artery by external manipulation (pulsion). A retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent surgical iliofemoral pulsion endarterectomy (IFPE) in two vascular surgery units between 1998 and 2006 was performed. Primary and secondary graft patency, limb salvage, and patient survival rates were determined using Kaplan-Meier methods. Fifty-eight IFPEs were carried out successfully on 54 patients (36 men, 18 women, median age 66 years) presenting with critical limb ischemia (n=23), with claudication (n=29), or in conjunction with abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (n=6). Mean (range) follow-up was 17 months (1-69). During this period six patients (all male, mean age 64 years) underwent iliofemoral bypass using a prosthetic graft when the iliac arteries were found unsuitable for endarterectomy because of hypoplasia or heavy calcification. Two-year cumulative primary patency of IFPE was 95%, secondary patency 100%, limb salvage 98.5%, and patient survival 73%. This modification of iliac endarterectomy is a relatively simple and safe technique that eschews prosthetics and offers a durable solution for the majority of patients with extensive iliofemoral occlusive disease.
