Conduit choice for above-knee femoropopliteal bypass grafting in patients with limb-threatening ischemia

Michael A. Curi, Christopher L. Skelly, Shari L. Meyerson, David H. Woo, Tina R. Desai, James F. McKinsey, Hisham S. Bassiouny, Daniel Katz, Bruce L. Gewertz, Lewis B. Schwartz*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Many surgeons consider PTFE to be the conduit of choice for above-knee femoropopliteal bypass grafting, since PTFE is relatively easy to implant and spares autogenous saphenous vein (ASV) for subsequent peripheral or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This practice has recently been challenged, as some studies have suggested that ASV may exhibit superior patency in certain patient subgroups. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the contemporary outcome of above-knee femoropopliteal bypass grafting in patients with limb-threatening ischemia. Between January 1995 and December 2000, 159 above-knee femoropopliteal bypass grafts were created for limb-threatening ischemia (rest pain or tissue loss). There was a high incidence of comorbid illness, including open foot wounds at the time of operation (62%), hypertension (58%), coronary artery disease (53%), diabetes mellitus (36%), cerebrovascular disease (23%), prior contralateral bypass or amputation (21%), disadvantaged or ""blind" outflow (19%), prior ipsilateral bypass (14%), prior CABG (11%) end-stage renal failure (7%). The use of PTFE predominated (n = 11), with a minority of grafts comprising single-segment ipsilateral or contralateral ASV (n = 18). Although the small number of patients undergoing ASV grafting limited the statistical power of comparison, our results suggest that above-knee ASV performs better than PTFE in patients with limb-threatening ischemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)95-101
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Vascular Surgery
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Conduit choice for above-knee femoropopliteal bypass grafting in patients with limb-threatening ischemia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this