Femorofemoral crossover bypass for noninfective complications of aortoiliac surgery

Between 1973 and 1989, 39 femorofemoral crossover bypasses were performed to treat unilateral noninfective complications of aortoiliac surgery. The initial revascularization procedure, performed an average of 79.5 months previously, was an aortobifemoral bypass in 29 cases, an aorto- or iliofemoral bypass in six cases, an inlay graft for abdominal aortic aneurysm and aortoiliac endarterectomy in two cases each. The indications for femorofemoral crossover bypass included prosthetic occlusion in 35 cases, thrombosed false aneurysm in two, and further degradation after endarterectomy (iliac stenosis and occlusion in one case each). There was no operative mortality. One patient with acute ischemia upon admission and another with distal gangrene required below-knee and forefoot amputations, respectively. No amputations were required during the rest of the follow-up period. Three repeat aortobifemoral bypasses were performed because of occurrence of aortic or inflow vessel lesions. Primary and secondary actuarial five year patency rates for femorofemoral crossover bypasses were 59.7% and 78.4%, respectively. Femorofemoral crossover bypass can extend the benefits derived from direct aortoiliac surgery with low mortality and morbidity in the absence of associated aortic pathology (false aneurysm at the aortic implantation site or severe obstructive lesions). kg]Key wordsPresented at the Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 18–19, 1990, Nancy, France.     

Role of Femorofemoral Crossover Bypass Grafting for Unilateral Iliac Atherosclerotic Disease: A Comparative Evaluation with Anatomic Bypass

Purpose To assess the role of femorofemoral or iliofemoral crossover bypass grafting, the early and late results of crossover bypasses were reviewed and compared with those of anatomic bypasses.Methods The clinical records of 164 patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans who underwent 99 crossover bypasses and 65 anatomic ones from 1982 to 2002 were retrospectively evaluated. The early and late results including operative mortality and morbidity, graft patency rate, limb salvage rate, and survival rate of the patients as well as backgrounds of the patients were compared between the two kinds of bypass procedures. In addition, perioperative factors including bypass procedures affecting graft patency were evaluated by a multivariate analysis.Results The percentage of high-risk patients was higher in the crossover bypass group than in the anatomic bypass group. The operative mortality and morbidity were similar between both bypass groups. The primary and secondary patency rates of crossover bypass grafts (93% and 97%, 83% and 92%, and 65% and 63% at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively) were lower than those of anatomic ones (95% and 98%, 93% and 98%, and 90% and 98% at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively). The late survival of the patients in the crossover bypass group was significantly lower than that in the anatomic bypass group. A multivariate analysis revealed the operative method, namely the crossover bypass, to be the only significant risk factor of late graft failure.Conclusion A crossover bypass was thus determined to be an acceptable procedure only in high-risk patients with a limited life expectancy.     

Extensive unilateral iliofemoral occlusions: durability of four techniques of arterial reconstructions

In patients with long unilateral iliofemoral occlusive disease unfit for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), most surgeons would choose some type of prosthetic bypass (aortounifemoral, iliofemoral or cross over). All these bypasses would provide excellent early results, but some may not be sufficient in patients with a good life expectancy who also need durable patency. The purpose of the study was to compare the long-term results of four types of arterial reconstructions. Over 20 years, 468 unilateral iliofemoral occlusions were treated primarily by one of the following techniques: aortounifemoral bypass (group 1, n = 108), iliofemoral bypass (group 2, n = 144), crossover bypass (group 3, n = 108), and iliofemoral endarterectomy (group 4, n = 108). Patients in group 3 presented with more severe comorbidities, and patients in group 4 had more superficial femoral artery occlusions. All data were prospectively registered after discharge and during the survey. Patency was assessed with duplex ultrasonography on a yearly basis. Perioperative complications and death rates were similar in all groups. The standard error was less than 10% for a period of over 10 years in all groups, except for group 3, in which it was more than 10% after 8 years. At 8 years, primary patency rates in groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 79%, 66%, 74%, and 89%, respectively. The difference was significant between group 4 and group 2 (p < .02) and group 3 (p < .01). Secondary patency and limb salvage rates were not significantly different. In this study, for an equal perioperative risk, the primary patency rates of iliac endarterectomies were superior to those of the other techniques, suggesting that these procedures should be the first choice in patients in good physical condition. Iliofemoral bypasses and crossover bypasses needed much more redo surgery. A crossover bypass should be reserved for patients who are unfit for an abdominal approach or who have a short life expectancy.     

Descending thoracic aorta as an inflow source for late occlusive failures following aortoiliac reconstruction

From November 1984 to March 1990, 10 descending thoracic aorta-to-femoral artery bypass procedures were performed after failure of one or several aortoiliofemoral reconstructions. All patients were men, mean age 60 years. Indications included noninfected false aneurysm of an infrarenal end-to-side aortoprosthetic anastomosis in one case; one occlusion of an axillofemoral bypass; degradation of an aortobifemoral prosthetic graft; two occlusions of aortofemoral bypass; and five occlusions of aortobiiliac or aortobifemoral bypasses. Eight bifurcated grafts, one aortoprosthetic tube graft, and one aortopopliteal tube graft were inserted. One patient died 23 days postoperatively of multiple organ failure. Three patients underwent a successful secondary lower limb reconstruction procedure (prosthetic limb thrombectomy, embolectomy, femoral bifurcation angioplasty in one case each). Mean survival time was 14 months (range 3–48 months). Two patients were lost to follow-up, and one died of myocardial infarction six months postoperatively with a patent bypass. Graft thrombosis occurred in two patients. One was treated by thrombectomy at five months, the other was treated by in-situ thrombolysis at 15 months. Both of these patients had patent grafts at 12 and 21 months, respectively. The four other patients had patent grafts at 48 months. Primary patency was 55.5% (5/9 survivors) and secondary patency was 100% (9/9). This is a relatively simple method for constructing an extraanatomic aortofemoral or aortobifemoral bypass in late failures of aortoiliofemoral reconstructive surgery without having to re-enter the abdomen.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 18–19, 1990, Nancy, France.     

Long-term results of a multicenter randomized study on direct versus crossover bypass for unilateral iliac artery occlusive disease

OBJECTIVE: To compare late patency after direct and crossover bypass in good-risk patients with unilateral iliac occlusive disease not amenable to angioplasty. METHODS: Between May 1986 and March 1991, 143 patients with unilateral iliac artery occlusive disease and disabling claudication were randomized into two surgical treatment groups, ie, crossover bypass (n = 74) or direct bypass (n = 69). The size of the patient population was calculated to allow detection of a possible 20% difference in patency in favor of direct bypass with a one-sided alpha risk of 0.05 and a beta risk of 0.10. Patients underwent yearly follow-up examinations using color flow duplex scanning with ankle-brachial systolic pressure index measurement. Digital angiography was performed if hemodynamic abnormalities were noted. Median follow-up was 7.4 years. Primary endpoints were primary patency and assisted primary patency estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method with 95% confidence interval. Secondary endpoints were secondary patency and postoperative mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: Cardiovascular risk factors, preoperative symptoms, iliac lesions TASC class (C in 87 [61%] patients and D in 56 [39%] patients), and superficial femoral artery (SFA) run-off were comparable in the two treatment groups. One patient in the direct bypass group died postoperatively. Primary patency at 5 years was higher in the direct bypass group than in the crossover bypass group (92.7 +/- 6.1% vs 73.2 +/- 10%, P = .001). Assisted primary patency and secondary patency at 5 years were also higher after direct bypass than crossover bypass (92.7 +/- 6.1% vs 84.3 +/- 8.5%, P = .04 and 97.0 +/- 3.0% vs 89.8 +/- 7.1%, P = .03, respectively). Patency at 5 years after crossover bypass was significantly higher in patients presenting no or low-grade SFA stenosis than in patients presenting high-grade (> or =50%) stenosis or occlusion of the SFA (74.0 +/- 12% vs 62.5 +/- 19%, P = .04). In both treatment groups, patency was comparable using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyester grafts. Overall survival was 59.5 +/- 12% at 10 years. CONCLUSION: This study showed that late patency was higher after direct bypass than crossover bypass in good-risk patients with unilateral iliac occlusive disease not amenable to angioplasty. Crossover bypass should be reserved for high-risk patients with unilateral iliac occlusion not amenable to percutaneous recanalization.     

Vertebral artery reconstruction: Results in 106 patients

Between January 1982 and December 1989, we performed 109 revascularizations of the vertebral artery in 106 patients. Eighty-six patients (81%) had isolated vertebrobasilar insufficiency, 18 (17%) had associated carotid and vertebrobasilar pathology while two (2%) had isolated carotid symptoms. The procedures performed included 98 revascularizations of the proximal vertebral artery and 11 reconstructions of the distal vertebral artery. One distal revascularization was required after early failure of proximal revascularization. In 36 cases (34%), a concomitant ipsilateral carotid artery revascularization procedure was performed, and in one case, an ipsilateral subclavian artery aneurysm was excised. Two patients (1.9%) died post-operatively and five patients (4.7%) had nonfatal neurologic complications. Four of these seven complications occurred after combined vertebral and carotid surgery. One hundred early follow-up arteriograms were obtained (92% of reconstructions). There were four occlusions, two of which were associated with neurologic deficits. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up was 48 months (4–100 months). Seven patients died in the late follow-up period (after one month). Actuarial five year survival was 91%. Overall patency at five years was 96%. The study of late neurologic events showed that 63% of patients had complete recovery, 30% improvement, and 7%, failure or aggravation of symptoms.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 18–19, 1990, Nancy, France.     

Late results of palmar arch bypass in the treatment of digital trophic disorders

This study reports the late results of eight palmar bypass procedures performed between 1983 and 1988 in eight men patients with a mean age of 43 years old, who presented with unilateral digital trophic disorders. The origin of the arterial lesions was post-traumatic in four cases, embolic in three cases, and aneurysmal in one. The procedures performed included four radiopalmar bypasses, two ulnar-palmar bypasses, one distal radial bypass and one palmopalmar bypass. In all cases, the replacement conduit used was the superficial radial vein retrieved from the wrist. There were no complications observed in this short series. All fingers healed within three weeks' time after excision of necrotic lesions. During a mean follow-up of 66 months, two bypasses became thrombosed, leading to amputation of the distal phalanx of a thumb in one patient while the remaining six bypasses remained patent, three of them for more than seven years. In the presence of trophic changes of the fingers, palmar arch bypasses, whenever feasible, are more effective at long-term and less aggressive than the usually proposed thoracic sympathectomy.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 18–19, 1990, Nancy, France.     

Iliofemoral bypass surgery for lower limb ischaemia. A follow-up of 62 patients

This study evaluates iliofemoral bypass reconstruction in limb-salvage, graft patency, and appearance of contralateral symptoms. The study included 62 consecutive iliofemoral bypass reconstructions during 1980-82. The indication for surgery was disabling intermittent claudication in 19% of the patients and severe ischaemia in 81%. At follow-up 42 patients were examined, 16 were dead and 4 were lost to follow-up. The primary mortality was 5%. At 3 years postoperatively the survival rate was 78%, ipsilateral limb-salvage 88%, graft patency 83%, and patency of the contralateral iliofemoral segment 92%. During the follow-up period reconstructive vascular surgery on the contralateral aortoiliac segment was performed in only 3 patients. The results of the iliofemoral bypass reconstruction in this study were comparable to the results of aortic bifurcation grafts, and the patency of the contralateral iliofemoral segment was higher than might have been expected. The iliofemoral bypass reconstruction seems to be useful for patients with unilateral affection of the iliofemoral segment, for limb-salvage concerning patients in poor general condition, and for patients who have had a contralateral amputation.     

Renal revascularization in high-risk patients: The role of iliac renal bypass

Between 1984 and 1989, 29 iliac renal artery bypasses were performed in 29 patients (mean age 67.8 years) with severe renovascular disease due to atheroma. The indication for renal artery reconstruction was hypertension in all patients, which was associated with kidney failure in 16 cases. In six cases, reconstruction was performed after failure or complications of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The bypass was constructed with polytetrafluoroethylene in 24 cases (83%) and vein graft in five cases (17%). There was no postoperative mortality. All bypasses were found to be patent on duplex scanning or digital subtraction arteriograms. One patient was lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up was 23.2 months. One patient died of acute kidney failure, probably related to occlusion of the bypass. Hypertension improved in 22 cases (79%), was cured in two cases (7%), and remained unchanged in four (14%). Renal function remained unchanged in six cases (40%) and improved in nine (60%). Iliac-to-renal artery bypass seems to be the surgical renal revascularization modality best adapted to high-risk patients or those who have severe atheroma. Additionally, this technique enables rapid treatment of failures or complications of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the renal artery.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 18–19, 1990, Nancy, France.     

Strategies in the treatment of major tissue loss and gangrene: Results of 100 consecutive vascular reconstructions

To determine the features of a successful clinical strategy, we analyzed the results of 100 consecutive lower extremity vascular reconstructions performedexclusively for tissue loss and gangrene of the legs and feet. Eighty patients underwent 100 procedures on 80 limbs. Follow-up was 95% complete (every six months, mean 2.2 years). Forty inflow procedures to the femoral artery were performed with 13 simultaneous infrainguinal bypasses. Sixty bypasses were performed from the femoral artery to the popliteal (25) or tibial arteries (35). Sixty-eight percent of the identified ulcerations healed, and limb salvage was achieved in 70% of patients by life-table analysis. The cumulative patency for all reconstructions was 48% (five years), for tibial bypasses 60% (four years). Femoropoliteal bypasses had the poorest patency and healing rates (<40%), while combined inflow-outflow procedures and femorotibial bypasses had the highest rates of healing (77%, 66%). There were two operative deaths, three graft infections, seven wound infections, and 12 acute graft thromboses. Vascular reconstructions for extensive tissue loss or gangrene can be performed with a morbidity and mortality comparable to procedures performed for less severe disease with a high rate of limb salvage. The long term success of surgical therapy depends primarily on the most direct revascularization of ischemic, infected tissues, using autologous conduits whenever possible. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, New York, New York, June 17, 1989.     

Early results for below-knee bypasses using Distaflo

In patients who require lower extremity revascularization, prosthetic graft is a reasonable alternative in the absence of a suitable autologous vein conduit. However, prosthetic bypass grafts have limited patency, especially for infrageniculate reconstruction. Polytetrafluoroethylene grafts were geometrically modified at the distal end to increase their patency. The authors reviewed their experience with the Distaflo graft in patients who required lower extremity below-knee popliteal and tibial bypasses when no suitable autologous vein conduit was available. Chart review was conducted of the 57 patients who underwent 60 lower extremity bypasses over a 3-year period between June 2003 and April 2006. Twenty-four revascularizations were constructed to the tibial outflow sites, whereas the remaining grafts were placed to the below-knee (28) and above-knee (8) popliteal artery, respectively. Study endpoints were primary, assisted primary, secondary patency, and limb salvage at the time of follow-up. Distaflo bypass was performed at the infrageniculate level in 86.7% of cases (28 below-knee popliteal, 24 tibial). Mean follow-up time was 12 months (range, 0.5-37.5 months). At 1 year, primary, assisted primary, and secondary patencies and limb salvage rates for below-knee popliteal bypasses were 83.5%, 89.5%, 94.7%, and 94.4%, respectively. Primary, assisted primary, and secondary patencies and limb salvage rates for tibial bypasses were 44.4%, 44.4%, 63.2%, and 74.9%, respectively. Distaflo precuffed graft is a good alternative conduit for below-knee popliteal and tibial lower extremity reconstructions in the absence of an autologous vein and appears to have promising early patency and limb salvage rates even when used for tibial bypasses.     

The influence of duplex scanning on early patency rates of in situ bypass to the tibial vessels

Duplex scanning was used in the follow up of 49 in situ infrapopliteal bypasses per formed for limb salvage using the valve incision method. In 19 cases (39%) the peroneal artery was the best available vessel for distal insertion; the anterior tibial and dorsalis pedis were used in 17 cases (35%) and the posterior tibial artery and tibioperoneal trunk in 13 cases (26%). In the early postoperative period three AV fistulas presented with painful skin lesions. These were located using duplex scanning and following ligation rapid resolution followed. Primary patency at one month was 87% and was increased to 96% by successful correction of four out of six failed bypasses. A total of 11 stenoses were found in five bypasses between three and 15 months postoperatively. In four of these patients the ankle/arm index decreased by at least 0.15 between examinations. A comparison was made between the spectral analysis on duplex scanning and the findings on arteriography and at operation. Peak systolic frequencies greater than 6 000 Hz were associated with 50% or greater reduction in vein bypass diameter. The majority were corrected using vein patch angioplasty. Primary cumulative patency at two years was maintained at 68% while correction of two out of seven bypass failures raised this to 80%. Duplex scanning allows precise definition of vein bypass pathology, facilitates operative correction and increases long-term limb salvage.     

Long-term Outcome of Femoral Above-knee Popliteal Artery Bypass Using Autologous Saphenous Vein Versus Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Grafts

Despite a recent flurry of publications on preferred techniques for femoral above-knee popliteal artery bypass, controversy persists over the use of autologous saphenous vein and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts. The purpose of this study was to compare our long-term results using these two bypass materials. In a series of 474 infrainguinal bypasses performed between January 1993 and December 1998, we performed a total of 75 femoral above-knee popliteal artery bypass using an autologous saphenous vein graft in 48 cases (64%) and an ePTFE graft in 27 cases (36%). Prosthetic grafts were used by choice in 17 cases and by necessity due to the absence of useable vein in 10 cases. There were 55 men and 18 women with a mean age of 70 years. The indication for bypass was lower extremity arterial occlusive disease at stage II in 17 cases (22.7%), stage III in 9 cases (12%), and stage IV in 36 cases (48%); subacute ischemia in 8 cases (10.7%); and femoropopliteal aneurysm in 5 cases (6.7%). Preoperative arteriography demonstrated three patent leg arteries in 15.5% of cases, two patent leg arteries in 43.5%, and one patent leg artery in 41%. There was no significance difference between the vein graft and ePTFE graft groups with regard to indications and arteriographic findings. No patient died during the immediate postoperative period. The mean duration of follow-up was 25.5 months (range, 3 to 108 months). The primary patency rate at 4 years was 82.2 ± 8% for venous bypass vs. 80.6 ± 11.8% for ePTFE bypass (p = 0.42). The secondary patency rate at 4 years was 84.7 ± 7.4% for vein bypasses and 79.5 ± 12% for ePTFE bypasses (p = 0.26). In our experience, there was no statistically significant difference in long-term outcome of femoral above-knee popliteal artery bypass using autologous vein grafts or prosthetic ePTFE grafts. Presented at the Seventeenth Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 29-31, 2002, Liege, Belgium.     

Descending thoracic aorta to iliofemoral artery bypass grafting: A role for primary revascularization for aortoiliac occlusive disease?

Purpose: Bypass grafts that originate from the descending thoracic aorta to the iliac or femoral arteries are well described but are not commonly used as primary procedures, and the long-term results remain unknown. A 15-year experience with 50 descending thoracic aorta to iliofemoral artery bypass grafts for aortoiliac occlusive disease is the basis of this report. Methods: From January 1983 to December 1997, patients who underwent bypass grafting procedures from the descending thoracic aorta to the iliac or femoral arteries were identified. Surgical indications, morbidity and mortality rates, primary and secondary patency rates, limb salvage rates, and survival rates were determined. Results: Fifty descending thoracic aorta to iliofemoral artery bypass grafting procedures were performed—24 (48%) for severe claudication, 22 (44%) for rest pain, and 4 (8%) for ischemic ulceration. A primary procedure was performed in 31 patients (62%) for complete occlusion (21 patients) and severe atherosclerotic disease (10 patients) of the infrarenal aorta. The indications for 19 secondary revascularizations (38%) were prior aortic or extra-anatomic graft failure in 17 cases and aortic graft infection in 2 cases. The follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 150 months (mean, 39 months). The cumulative life-table 5-year primary patency, secondary patency, limb salvage, and survival rates were 79%, 84%, 93%, and 67%, respectively. An improved patency trend was observed for patients who underwent operation for severe claudication as compared with limb-threatening ischemia (92% and 69%; P = .07). However, there was no difference between primary and secondary operations in primary patency rates (81% and 79%; P = NS) or survival rates (72% and 62%; P = NS). Conclusion: Descending thoracic aorta to iliofemoral artery bypass grafting has excellent overall long-term results. These results support its more liberal use for primary revascularization, especially for patients with severe atherosclerotic disease or complete occlusion of the infrarenal aorta. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:249-58.)     

Long-term results of thrombectomy for late occlusions of aortofemoral bypass

Sixty-two first episodes of aortofemoral (eight patients) or aortobifemoral (42 patients) bypass thrombosis were operated upon in 50 patients between 1980 and 1985. There were 47 men and three women whose mean age was 58 years. Retrograde thrombectomy through the distal anastomosis was achieved in all cases by using either a balloon catheter or Vollmar rings. If thrombectomy was impossible, revascularization was ensured by an extraanatomic bypass or complete replacement of the graft. Angioplasty, repeat distal anastomosis or femoropopliteal bypass of the native runoff artery were done in 55 (89%) operations. The cause of thrombosis was elucidated in 45 cases. Suture line stenosis and atheromatous stenosis of the native runoff artery were the two most common causes. Three patients died and two required above-knee amputation in the immediate postoperative period. Contralateral embolism occurred in two patients undergoing retrograde thrombectomy. Mean follow-up was 47 months. Thrombectomy was possible in 51 of 62 prosthetic thromboses (Group I). Thirty-nine of these grafts have remained patent. Twelve instances of repeat thrombosis occurred, requiring either repeat thrombectomy or a new bypass. Primary patency in group I was 97.8%, 81.2%, and 71.3% at one, three, and five years, respectively. Thrombectomy was impossible in 11 graft thromboses (Group II). A new bypass was performed in all 11 cases. Primary patency in Group II was 100%, 75% and 50% at one, three, and five years, respectively. Retrograde thrombectomy combined with treatment of native runoff artery anomalies can restore long-term patency when thrombosis occurs late after aortofemoral bypass and is associated with low mortality and morbidity.Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Société de Chirurgie Vasculaire de Langue Française, May 18–19, 1990, Nancy, France.     

Serial duplex scans elucidate the evolving hemodynamics of distal arteriovenous fistulas

Arteriovenous fistulas at the distal anastomosis have been suggested to improve the patency of prosthetic femorocrural bypasses. We have followed nine patients with bypasses to the crural vessels and distal arteriovenous fistulas using physical examination, pulse volume recordings, and segmental pressure indices. Duplex scans of the distal anastomosis were employed to determine the contribution of arterial and venous outflow to total graft flow. Early graft patency was achieved in all patients. One patient went on to amputation at one week postoperatively for progressive ischemia despite a patent graft. The other eight patients achieved successful revascularization. Healing of ulcers, relief of rest pain, the presence of palpable pulses, good pulse wave amplitude, and normal pressure indices are consistent findings as long as the bypass is patent. One patient died on the fourth postoperative day from a myocardial infarction. The remaining patients have been followed from one to 23 months with follow-up examination every three to four months. Sequential duplex scans show that flow continues into distal arteries while venous outflow diminishes. This corresponds to a reduction in the diameter of the outflow veins while the caliber of arterial runoff is maintained. Patency has been achieved up to 23 months with a mean of 12 months. Venous outflow occlusion precedes graft thrombosis by two to 15 months. Graft occlusion has uniformly necessitated amputation. It may be possible to improve long-term graft patency and limb salvage by surgical revision of the distal anastomosis to reestablish venous outflow.Presented at the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, June 2, 1990, Los Angeles, California.     

Long-term results of femoro-femoral crossover bypass after endovascular aortouniiliac repair of abdominal aortic and aortoiliac aneurysms

Aortouniiliac stent grafts allow the endovascular treatment of complex anatomy aortoiliac aneurysms. The main drawback is the need for femoro-femoral crossover bypass, with its complications and its patency limitations. However, some authors have shown good results of femoro-femoral crossover bypass in aneurysmal disease. In this article, initial and long-term results of our experience in femoro-femoral crossover bypass revascularization after endovascular aortouniiliac stent grafts repair of aortoiliac aneurysms is reported. Prospective collection, intention-to-treat, and retrospective analysis maintained database. Femoro-femoral crossover bypass patency assessment of all patients treated between January 1999 and September 2002, compared patients with or without associated occlusive arterial disease. Urgent indications were excluded. In total of 52 patients, with a mean age 72.6 years, 30.8% of patients were identified with associated occlusive arterial disease. Initial systemic and local, access site, complications were 7.7% and 7.7%, respectively, no early thrombosis or death is reported. Primary patency was 90.9% at 54 months, 66 months assisted primary and secondary patency were 97.7% and 100%, respectively. The 48-month survival rate was 84.2%. No significant differences between patients with or without associated occlusive arterial disease were found. Femoro-femoral crossover bypass after aortouniiliac stent grafts treatment of aortoiliac aneurysms shows excellent initial and long-term patency and low complication rate.     

Der iliofemorale Crossover-Bypass kombiniert mit intraoperativer aortoiliakaler Stenteinlage

Objective: To study the outcome of treating biiliacal aortoiliac occlusive disease by combined procedures consisting in placement of an iliofemoral crossover bypass and aortoiliac stenting for inflow improvement. Design: Retrospective study of 24 patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease who were treated with this combined endovascular procedure. Materials: From March 1995 to July 1998 24 patients underwent this combined procedure. Mean age was 63.8 years (range 48–73 years). All aortoiliac stents were implanted intraoperatively followed by placement of an iliofemoral crossover bypass. In case of stenosis of the deep femoral artery, a femoral-femoral crossover bypass was preferred. Results: In the mean follow-up period of 42 months, primary assisted patency was 100%. Clinical signs of arterial occlusive disease were decreased to Fontaine stage IIa in all cases. Conclusions: This experience demonstrates that iliofemoral crossover bypass combined with simultaneous stent implantation for inflow improvement is an effective and low invasive treatment in patients with extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease.     

Which distal anastomosis should be used in PTFE femoro-tibial bypass?

AIM: The PTFE prosthesis represents an alternative to the autologous saphenous vein in femoro-tibial revascularization for limb salvage in the absence of venous material in the patient. The aim of our study is to confirm the validity of PTFE revascularization and determine the best distal anastomosis in terms of patency using 3 different techniques. We carried out a retrospective analysis, evaluating patients who underwent PTFE femoro-tibial revascularization for critical ischemia. METHODS: Between January 1998 and June 2002 we performed 46 femoro-tibial revascularizations at the Vascular Surgery Division of the Poliambulanza Hospital in Brescia using a PTFE prosthesis, from a total of 192 infrainguinal revascularizations (24%). All patients presented a critical ischemia, with trophic lesions or gangrene in 76% of the cases (35/46) and who were previously treated unsuccessfully with medical therapy. Seventeen cases (36%) were a redo bypass due to previously failed revascularization. In all cases the saphenous vein was not available due to past peripheral or coronary revascularization (45%), saphenectomy (20%) or inadequate diameter (35%). The distal anastomoses were performed on the peroneal artery in 29 cases, on the anterior tibial artery in 14 cases and on the posterior tibial artery in 3 cases. The distal anastomosis was performed by interposing a segment of vein between the prosthesis and the tibial artery in 12 cases; in 22 cases the interposition was performed using a vein patch, and in the remaining 12 cases a PTFE prosthesis provided with a premanufactured expanded anastomosis (Distaflo(c)) was used. RESULTS: Average follow-up was 22.5 months (range: 3-48 months). The primary and secondary patency rate at 48 months, calculated with the Life table method, was 35% and 47%, respectively. Limb salvage in the same time period was 56%. Depending on the anastomosis performed (Distaflo(c), vein patch, distal vein) we obtained a secondary patency rate of 31%, 62%, and 44% respectively after 48 months with a significant difference between distal vein patch and the other two anastomoses (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PTFE bypass on the tibial artery performed for limb salvage in the absence of a saphenous vein represents a valid alternative to other types of prostheses with a patency percentage that is acceptable in the medium term. Within our study population, anastomosis by vein patch interposition gave better results than other types of tibial anastomosis.     

Complete revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of complete revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery. METHODS: To obtain such revascularization, 81 patients required the use of such complex techniques as the onlay patch technique or double bypasses during bypass grafting. RESULTS: The onlay patch technique was used in 39 (48%) and double bypasses in 42 (52%). The wall motion in all anterior segments of the left ventricle showed an improving trend postoperatively. The patency rate was 99% overall, and the bypass grafts to the left anterior descending coronary artery were all patent with flow in all left anterior descending coronary artery areas. Perioperative myocardial infarction occurred in only 1 patient (1.2%), and hospital mortality was 2.5% (2/81). Long-term results of 79 hospital survivors were as follows: the mean follow-up time was 77 months (3 to 236); the actuarial survival rate including all deaths and estimated by cardiac death was 90% and 95% at the eighth postoperative year respectively; the cardiac event free rate at the fifth and eighth postoperative year was 90% and 63% respectively. A total of 8 cardiac events were observed. Excluding 3 cardiac deaths, no cardiac events were clearly attributable to the left anterior descending coronary artery. CONCLUSIONS: Complete revascularization of the left anterior descending coronary artery using these techniques improved the anterior wall motion in the left ventricle and cardiac performance at low risk, and provided excellent long-term results.