An 11-year experience with aortofemoral bypass grafting.

Over the past 11 years, 224 patients (440 limbs) underwent aortofemoral bypass grafting for claudication (63%) or limb-threatening ischemia (37%). The distal anastomosis included the profunda femoris artery directly or only as a profundaplasty in 163 limbs (37.0%). Concomitant distal bypasses were carried out in 19 limbs (4.3%). The perioperative mortality rate was 4.9%; over half of the deaths (six) were from myocardial infarction. There were ten early graft limb occlusions (2.3%). Only five major amputations (1.1%) occurred. Long-term follow-up of 416 limbs averaged 58.5 (range 2-142) months. Cumulative primary and secondary patency rates were 88 and 93% respectively at 5 years, and 73 and 89% respectively at 10 years. The cumulative limb salvage rate was 95% at 5 years and 91% at 10 years. Improvement of claudication or relief from limb-threatening ischemia occurred in 90% of limbs early after treatment. Only 5.9% of limbs were worse after operation. During follow-up, 55 patients (38.5%) died, over half from cardiac causes. Long-term graft-related complications included pseudoaneurysm in 16 limbs (3.8%) and graft limb thrombosis in 33 (7.9%), occurring at a mean of 57.8 and 24.8 months respectively. Graft infection occurred in four patients (1.9%). Excluding operations for graft infection, the operative mortality rate in 72 reoperations on 45 patients was 5.5%. In summary, aortofemoral bypass grafting can be performed safely with excellent long-term patency and limb salvage rates. Improvements in the perioperative mortality rate could best be addressed by improvements in cardiac evaluation and perioperative monitoring. Long-term graft limb complications do occur and, therefore, these patients require lifetime surveillance.

Inflow atherosclerotic disease localized to the common femoral artery: treatment and outcome.

Severe occlusive disease of the common femoral artery without significant aortoiliac disease is not common in our experience. Since 1978 we have operated upon 29 limbs in 22 patients (mean age 60) with localized common femoral artery disease. Indications for operation were claudication in 31% and impending limb loss in 69%. Operations included common femoral artery endarterectomy with patch angioplasty (19 limbs), patch angioplasty alone (two limbs), and common femoral artery endarterectomy without a patch (three limbs). Operative mortality was zero; there were nine wound complications, one patient had a myocardial infarction with early thrombosis. Symptomatic relief was obtained in 20 of 22 patients. All minor amputations healed. The mean postoperative ankle/brachial index increased to 0.67 from 0.49. Mean follow-up is 37 months (one-118 months); there have been 10 late deaths. Cumulative two and five year patency rates are 82% and 74%, limb salvage is 80% and 80%, respectively. Major amputations were required in five patients at two, two, 12, 23, and 68 months. Further inflow procedures were required in four patients: three aortobifemoral bypasses and one axillofemoral bypass. Although this disease has an uncommon inflow level, it is amenable to safe, durable, local procedures.