Surgical and endovascular intervention for infrainguinal vein graft stenosis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stenosis-free patency of open repair (vein-patch angioplasty, interposition, jump grafting) and percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) of 144 vein graft stenoses that were detected during duplex scan surveillance after infrainguinal vein bypass grafting. Methods: Patients who underwent revision of an infrainguinal vein bypass graft were analyzed for type of vein conduit, vascular laboratory findings leading to revision, repair techniques, assisted graft patency rate, procedure mortality rate, and restenosis of the repair site. Results: The time of postoperative revision ranged from 1 day to 133 months (mean, 13 months). One hundred eighteen primary and 26 recurrent stenoses (peak systolic velocity, >300 cm/s) in 52 tibial and 35 popliteal vein bypass grafts were identified by means of duplex scanning. The repairs consisted of 77 open procedures (vein-patch angioplasty, 28; vein interposition, 33; jump graft, 9; primary repair, 3) and 67 PTAs. No patient died as a result of intervention. Cumulative assisted graft patency rate (life-table analysis) was 91% at 1 year and 80% at 3 years. At 2 years, cumulative assisted graft patency rate was comparable for saphenous vein grafts (reversed, 94%; in situ, 88%; nonreversed, 63%) and alternative vein grafts (89%). Stenosis-free patency rate at 2 years was identical (P = .55) for surgical intervention (63%) and endovascular intervention (63%) but varied with type of surgical revision (P = .04) and time of intervention (<4 months, 45%; >4 months, 71%; P = .006). The use of duplex scan–monitored PTA to treat focal stenoses (<2 cm) and late-appearing stenoses (>3 months) was associated with a stenosis-free patency rate that was 89% at 1 year. After intervention, the alternative vein bypass grafts necessitated twice the reinterventions per month of graft survival (P = .01). Bypass graft to the popliteal versus infrageniculate arteries, site of graft stenosis (vein conduit, anastomotic region), and repair of a primary versus a recurrent stenosis did not influence the outcome after intervention. Conclusion: The revision of duplex scan–detected vein graft stenosis with surgical or endovascular techniques was associated with an excellent patency rate, including when intervention on alternative vein conduits or treatment of restenosis was necessary. When PTA was selected on the basis of clinical and duplex scan selection criteria, the endovascular treatment of focal vein graft stenosis was effective, durable, and comparable with the surgical revision of more extensive lesions. (J Vasc Surg 1999;29:60-71.)     

Outcome of endovascular intervention for infrainguinal vein graft stenosis

Assisted graft patency rate following revision of a graft stenosis is far better than that following thrombectomy of an occluded graft. Graft revision by endovascular means has been proposed as a suitable alternative to more invasive surgery. This study reports our experience with endovascular treatment of vein graft stenosis. Between December 1992 and September 2000, percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) was performed on 90 vein graft stenoses in 87 infrainguinal vein bypass grafts identified by routine graft duplex scan (peak systolic velocity, PSV > 300 cm/sec). All 90 stenoses treated by PTA were retrospectively analysed for stenosis-free patency rate (life-table analysis). Re-stenosis was defined by PSV exceeding 300 cm/sec at the same site of the vein graft where a stenosis was dilated.Ninety vein graft stenoses (72 primary stenoses and 18 recurrent stenoses) in 33 femoropopliteal (above knee), 30 femoropopliteal (below knee) and 24 femorotibial vein bypass grafts were treated by PTA. The timing of PTA ranged from one to 252 months (mean, 23.9 months) from the initial surgery. Cumulative stenosis-free patency rate after PTA was 55.8% at 6 months, 54.0% at one year and 45.0% at three years. Stenosis-free patency rate at six months was significantly lower for revision of recurrent stenosis (25.9%) than for primary stenosis (61.6%) (P = 0.01). The revision of duplex scan detected vein graft stenosis with endovascular intervention was associated with an acceptable stenosis-free patency rate. However, recurrent stenosis treated by PTA had a significantly inferior outcome. Direct surgical revision would be more appropriate for recurrent lesions.     

Optimizing infrainguinal arm vein bypass patency with duplex ultrasound surveillance and endovascular therapy

OBJECTIVE: Infrainguinal bypass grafting with arm vein is associated with lower patency rates compared with saphenous vein conduits. In this study the effect of a duplex ultrasound surveillance program to enable identification and treat graft lesions with open or endovascular repair on patency was analyzed. METHODS: Over 9 years 89 infrainguinal arm vein (26% spliced vein) bypasses were performed to treat critical lower limb ischemia in 89 patients without adequate saphenous vein conduits. Seventy-six (85%) of the bypasses were repeat procedures. Grafts were assessed at operation with duplex ultrasound scanning, then enrolled in a surveillance program. Graft stenoses with peak systolic velocity greater than 300 cm/s and velocity ratio greater than 3.5, detected at duplex ultrasound scanning, were repaired with percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA) if specific criteria were met, including greater than 3 months since primary procedure, lesion length less than 2 cm, and graft diameter greater than 3.5 mm, or with open surgical repair for early appearing or extensive graft lesions. RESULTS: During a mean 26-month follow-up, duplex surveillance resulted in a 48% (43 bypasses) intervention rate. Primary patency rate was 43% at 3 years. Twenty-six (43%) of 61 lesions identified and repaired met criteria for PTA; the remaining 35 graft lesions (stenosis, n = 30; vein graft aneurysm, n = 5) were surgically corrected with vein patch angioplasty (n = 15), interposition grafting (n = 13), jump graft bypass (n = 6), or open repair (n = 1). At 3 years the assisted primary patency rate was 91% (7 graft failures). Multiple interventions were performed in 18 (42%) revised grafts because of metachronous (n = 6) or repair site stenosis (n = 12). In 18 graft interventions (PTA, n = 9; surgery, n = 9) recurrent stenosis developed, and endovascular therapy was used in one third (n = 6). At 3 years the stenosis-free patency rate for PTA (48%) and surgically repaired (53%) graft lesions was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Arm veins used in lower limb bypass procedures are prone to development of stenosis and aneurysm, lesions easily detected with a life-long duplex ultrasound surveillance program. Excellent long-term patency (91%) was achieved despite graft intervention being performed in nearly half of all bypasses and one third of revised grafts. Endovascular treatment was possible in half of all graft stenosis, with outcomes similar to those with surgical repair.     

Cutting balloon angioplasty of autogenous infrainguinal bypasses: short-term safety and efficacy

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty in the treatment of infrainguinal vein bypass graft stenosis. METHODS: Data from a prospective database, supplemented by chart review, were obtained on all patients who underwent cutting balloon angioplasty of lower extremity vein bypass grafts at a single institution during a 4-year period. Noninvasive duplex ultrasound imaging of grafts, along with measurement of ankle-brachial indices and digital pressures, was performed on all patients before and after treatment with the cutting balloon. Efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty and procedural complications were analyzed. Data from noninvasive vascular testing were compared using the two-tailed paired Student t test. Patency rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Differences in patency rates were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: From July 2002 to February 2006, 109 cutting balloon angioplasties were performed on 70 bypasses in 61 patients. There were 12 complications in 109 procedures (11%), only one of which required immediate operative intervention. Initial technical success was 96%. Noninvasive vascular testing indicators significantly improved immediately after intervention: peak systolic graft velocity decreased from 360 +/- 158 cm/s to 143 +/- 67 cm/s (P < .001), ankle-brachial index improved from 0.55 +/- 0.3 to 0.85 +/- 0.2 (P < .001), and digital pressure increased from 31 +/- 30 mm Hg to 62 +/- 32 mm Hg (P < .001). Patency rates at 6 months according to the Kaplan-Meier method were primary patency, 48% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36 to 0.60); assisted primary patency, 72% (95% CI, 0.61 to 0.83); and secondary patency, 99% (95% CI, 0.97 to 1.00). At 6 months, cumulative limb salvage was 94% (95% CI, 0.89 to 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Cutting balloon angioplasty of infrainguinal vein bypass graft stenosis is technically feasible but is associated with a relatively high complication rate and a relatively low short-term patency rate.     

Balloon angioplasty as a treatment of failing infrainguinal autologous vein bypass grafts

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of balloon angioplasty in the treatment of failing infrainguinal vein bypass (IVB) grafts. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing revision of a failing IVB graft by vascular surgeons at a tertiary care center from 1990 to 2001 was performed. Failing bypass grafts were identified by routine duplex scan surveillance and physical examination. The criteria for endovascular intervention varied on the basis of surgeon preferences and time period; factors considered when choosing balloon angioplasty included significant comorbidities that precluded operative intervention, the lack of adequate conduit for surgical revision, or poor accessibility of the stenotic lesion. Data recorded included demographic patient data, type of IVB graft, patency status, further procedures performed, and all complications and mortalities. Cumulative primary and assisted patency rates were calculated by using Kaplan-Meier life-table analysis. RESULTS: A total of 45 balloon angioplasties were performed in 36 patients. There were 36 angioplasties of vein bypass grafts, and additional balloon angioplasties were performed on nine of these patients. Locations of IVB grafts included femoropopliteal (13 patients), femorodistal (13), and popliteal to distal (10). Initial success was achieved in 33 of 36 vein bypass grafts (91.7%). In these bypass grafts, the stenotic lesions were identified and treated at the proximal anastomosis (3 patients), mid-bypass graft (6 patients), and distal anastomosis (27 patients). Autogenous vein was used for all bypass grafts. Cumulative vein bypass graft (life-table analysis) primary patency rates (those free of occlusion or bypass graft threatening stenosis) were 74.2% at 6 months, 62.7% at 12 months, and 58.2% at 24 months. Repeat interventions included surgical thrombectomy with vein patch angioplasty or bypass graft revision, as well as repeat balloon angioplasty with or without thrombolysis. Cumulative assisted vein bypass graft patency rates (those free of occlusion or bypass graft threatening stenosis) were 87.0%, 83.2%, and 78.9% at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Two patients (4%) developed thigh hematomas; no other procedure-related complications were noted, and there were no deaths in the perioperative period. CONCLUSION: Balloon angioplasty of failing infrainguinal vein bypass grafts can be successfully performed with a low rate of complications. Acceptable short-term patency can be achieved. This procedure should be considered as an initial option in failing IVB grafts.     

Lower extremity bypass graft revision in diabetics

Revision of lower extremity bypass graft stenoses identified by surveillance duplex scanning is frequently required in diabetic patients. The authors evaluated (1) the value of routine angiography before graft revision in diabetics, (2) factors that predict patients in whom angiography alters management, and (3) the incidence of recurrent stenosis and factors that might predict it. Forty-two infrainguinal primary vein bypasses undergoing primary revision were retrospectively studied. The initial graft stenosis was detected at a mean of 11.5 +/-3.6 months after the original bypass. Angiograms were obtained in 38 cases, revealing additional findings in 29 of 38 cases (76%), with a resultant alteration of the operative plan in 27 cases (71%). The most frequent additional angiographic finding was the identification or localization of a lesion in the inflow or outflow tracts (18 of 27 cases). Cases where the angiogram altered the management plan had a mean systolic velocity ratio across the stenosis (Vr) of 7.3 +/-6.1, versus a Vr of 4.8 +/-1.3 for cases where the angiogram did not alter the management plan (p<0.04). Duplex scanning identified 4 lesions that were not seen on angiography; 3 of 4 were confirmed as webs at surgery. Twenty of 42 grafts (48%) developed recurrent stenoses at a mean of 4.9 +/-3.8 months from initial revision. Restenosis occurred in 69% of female limbs as compared to 38% of male limbs (p=0.06). Recurrent stenosis was not a predictor of ultimate graft failure, unless left untreated. Four of 10 untreated grafts ultimately failed. A total of 9 of the 42 grafts eventually failed (21%), leading to 3 amputations (7%). The authors conclude that failing infrainguinal bypass grafts identified by duplex in diabetics should undergo a detailed angiographic evaluation. This frequently leads to an alteration in the management plan, especially in the presence of a high Vr across stenoses. High rates of limb salvage (93%) and assisted primary graft patency (79%) despite a high recurrent stenoses rate (48%) justify routine duplex surveillance, preoperative angiography, and aggressive graft revision in diabetic patients with infrainguinal grafts.     

Intraoperative duplex monitoring of infrainguinal vein bypass procedures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraoperative duplex scanning of infrainguinal vein bypass grafts to detect technical and hemodynamic problems, monitor their repair, and correlate findings with the incidence of thrombosis and stenosis repair rates within 90 days of operation. METHODS: Color duplex scanning was used at operation to assess vein/anastomotic patency and velocity spectra waveforms of 626 infrainguinal vein bypass grafts (in situ saphenous, 228 grafts; nonreversed translocated saphenous, 170 grafts; reversed saphenous, 147 grafts; alternative [arm, lesser saphenous], 81 grafts) to the popliteal (n = 267 grafts), infrageniculate (n = 323 grafts), or pedal artery (n = 36 grafts). The entire bypass graft was scanned after intragraft injection of papaverine hydrochloride (30-60 mg) to augment graft flow. Vein/anastomotic/artery segments with velocity spectra that indicate highly disturbed flow (peak systolic velocity, >180 cm/sec; spectral broadening; velocity ratio at site, >3) were revised. Grafts with a low peak systolic velocity less than 30 to 40 cm/s and high outflow resistance (absent diastolic flow) underwent procedures (distal arteriovenous fistula, sequential bypass grafting) to augment flow; if this was not possible, the grafts were treated with an antithrombotic regimen, including heparin, dextran, and antiplatelet therapy. RESULTS: Duplex scanning prompted revision of 104 lesions in 96 (15%) bypass grafts, including 82 vein/anastomotic stenoses, 17 vein segments with platelet thrombus, and 5 low-flow grafts. Revision rate was highest (P <.01) for alternative vein bypass grafts (27%) compared with the other grafting methods (reversed vein bypass grafts, 10%; nonreversed translocated, 13%; in situ, 16%). A normal intraoperative scan on initial imaging (n = 464 scans) or after revision (n = 67 scans) was associated with a 30-day thrombosis rate of 0.2% and a revision rate of 0.8% for duplex-detected stenosis (peak systolic velocity, >300 cm/s; velocity ratio, >3.5). By comparison, 20 of 95 bypass grafts (21%) with a residual (n = 29 grafts) or unrepaired duplex stenosis (n = 53 grafts) or low flow (n = 13 grafts) had a corrective procedure for graft thrombosis (n = eight grafts) or stenosis (n = 12 grafts; P <.001). Overall, 8% of patients with bypass grafts underwent a corrective procedure within 90 days of operation. Secondary graft patency was 99.4% at 30 days and 98.8% at 90 days (eight graft failures). CONCLUSION: The observed 15% intraoperative revision rate coupled with a low 90-day failure/revision rate (2.5%) for bypasses with normal papaverine-augmented duplex scans supports the routine use of this diagnostic modality to enhance the precision and early results of infrainguinal vein bypass procedures.     

The origin of infrainguinal vein graft stenosis: A prospective study based on duplex surveillance

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the origin of vein graft lesions and their propensity for progression based on prospective duplex surveillance of 135 infrainguinal vein bypasses.Methods: One hundred sixteen greater saphenous, 13 spliced, five cephalic, and one superficial femoral vein grafts were evaluated by color duplex imaging at surgical procedure, 1 and 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and every 3 to 6 months thereafter. Duplex-identified lesions were graded by peak systolic velocity and velocity ratio criteria and were either followed or subjected to revision.Results: Early postoperative duplex surveillance allowed stratification of infrainguinal grafts into two subsets. Of 91 (67%) grafts with normal early scans (at 3 months), only two (2.2%) developed de novo stenoses (at 6 and 8 months) that required revision. Forty-four grafts with abnormal duplex scans had a focal flow abnormality (peak systolic velocity >150 cm/sec, velocity ratio >1.5) in the graft body ( n = 24) or anastomotic region ( n = 20). In 14 grafts the flow abnormality (mean peak systolic velocity = 217 cm/sec, velocity ratio = 2.3) normalized. Ten additional grafts exhibited a moderate, persistent graft stenosis (mean peak systolic velocity 248 cm/sec, velocity ratio = 3.3) that was not repaired. All 20 grafts with lesions that progressed to high-grade stenosis (mean peak systolic velocity = 362 cm/sec, velocity ratio = 7.2) and were revised had a residual flow abnormality confirmed at operation, or it appeared by 6 weeks. In the entire series six (4.4%) grafts failed during the mean 12-month follow-up interval (range 3 to 30 months), 4 with unrepaired defects and two after revision.Conclusions: Prospective duplex surveillance verified that de novo graft stenosis was uncommon (<2.2%) after reversed and in situ saphenous vein bypass grafting. Graft stenoses developed at sites of unrepaired defects or early appearing conduit abnormalities. An early appearing duplex focal flow abnormality warranted careful surveillance, because one half of such sites progressed to a high-grade stenosis. Grafts with normal early duplex scans exhibited a low incidence of stenosis development or occlusion, and thus less intense postoperative surveillance can be recommended. (J VASC SURG 1995;21:16-25.)     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of coronary saphenous vein bypass grafts

Between December 1981 and August 1983, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of saphenous vein grafts was performed in 14 men and 4 women, selected because of recurrent anginal symptoms and graft stenosis. The interval from bypass to angioplasty was 41 +/- 36 months. Of 24 lesions, 9 were at the proximal anastomosis, 13 in the distal segment and 2 in the middle segment of the vein graft. The primary success rate was 79%. Failure to cross the stenosis occurred in three patients and failure to dilate in one. The stenosis was reduced from a mean of 82% +/- 13% to 26% +/- 15%. No patient required emergency coronary artery bypass grafting but two underwent elective grafting after the angioplasty had failed. No patient sustained a Q-wave myocardial infarction and all who had a successful angioplasty were asymptomatic or much improved after the procedure. Angiographic follow-up was available in 12 of 14 patients (86%). Six patients had significant symptoms (Canadian Cardiovascular Society class II to III) and five of these had evidence of restenosis. Among the six patients who were asymptomatic, two had angiographic evidence of restenosis. The overall rate of restenosis was 58% (7 of 12). Repeat angioplasty was successful in three of the five patients in whom it was attempted. The authors conclude that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a saphenous vein graft for a localized area of stenosis is effective and safe, but there is a high rate of restenosis that possibly is due to intimal fibrous proliferation in saphenous vein grafts.     

Infrainguinal vein graft stenosis: cutting balloon angioplasty as the first-line treatment of choice

OBJECTIVE: The optimal treatment for hemodynamically significant infrainguinal vein bypass graft stenosis is not known. This study compares three options as first choice for the revision of failing infrainguinal vein grafts: cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA), standard percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (PTA), and open surgical revision (OS). METHODS: Infrainguinal vein bypass graft lesions treated in a single institution during a 12-year period were evaluated. Of these, 161 lesions in 124 infrainguinal bypasses (101 patients) were treated with OS (n = 42), PTA (n = 57), or CBA (n = 62). The initial indication for the bypass in these patients was limb salvage in 73% and claudication in 27%. The primary outcome of interest was the development of vein graft occlusion or significant stenosis (>or=70%) as detected by surveillance duplex ultrasound scanning or arteriography some time after repair. RESULTS: The stenosis-free patency rates at 48 months for OS, CBA, and PTA were 74%, 62%, and 34%, respectively. PTA was associated with an increased risk of treatment failure compared with both OS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.9; P < .0001) and CBA (HR, 3.1; P < .0001). There was no significant difference between OS and CBA (HR, 1.3 for CBA vs OS, P = .6). Pseudoaneurysms developed in two CBA patients. One ruptured and required interposition graft, and one was monitored. CONCLUSION: Cutting balloon angioplasty is a reasonable, initial treatment for infrainguinal vein graft stenosis in most patients. It is a safe, minimally invasive, outpatient procedure with patency rates that are comparable to OS and superior to PTA.     

Prediction of early graft failure with intraoperative completion duplex ultrasound scan

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine intraoperative hemodynamic parameters that predict early failure of infragenicular vein grafts with intraoperative completion duplex ultrasound scan. METHODS: We reviewed the results of intraoperative duplex scans that were selectively performed after completion of 45 tibial/pedal vein bypass grafts at high risk for failure. Bypass was performed for rest pain (39%) or tissue loss (61%), and 60% of the cases were disadvantaged because of compromised vein quality or poor arterial outflow. A 10-MHz low-profile transducer was used to scan the entire graft at bypass completion. All grafts were determined to be technically adequate (absence of retained valves, arteriovenous fistulas, or localized velocity increases and the presence of bypass-dependent distal pulses). Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) were also measured at each anastomosis, in the outflow artery and in the proximal and distal portions of each graft. Resistive indices (RI) were calculated at each measurement point (PSV-EDV/PSV). Statistical analysis was performed with unpaired t test, chi(2) test, and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Twenty infragenicular vein bypass grafts (44%) thrombosed within 12 months. Intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were significantly different between grafts that remained patent or thrombosed. EDV was lower (5 +/- 1 cm/s versus 13 +/- 3 cm/s; P =.02) and RI was higher (0.90 versus 0.81; P <.01) in the proximal portions of grafts that thrombosed within 12 months. Distal EDV was also lower (6 +/- 1 cm/s versus 15 +/- 2 cm/s; P <.01) and distal RI was higher (0.89 versus 0.78; P <.01) in grafts that thrombosed. With multivariate analysis, only low distal EDV was predictive of early graft failure (P <.05). Distal bypass EDV of less than 8 cm/s predicated early graft thrombosis with 76% sensitivity and 75% specificity (positive predictive value, 71%; negative predictive value, 78%). Absence of diastolic flow (EDV of 0 cm/s) predicted early graft failure with 100% specificity and 100% positive predictive value. CONCLUSION: In this initial experience, low EDV measured with intraoperative duplex scan was associated with early thrombosis of tibial level vein grafts. When such values are observed, measures should be taken to improve graft hemodynamic parameters. Prospective study of infragenicular vein bypass grafts may better define hemodynamic parameters predictive of early graft thrombosis.     

The correlation of early flow disturbances with the development of infrainguinal graft stenosis: A 10-year study of 341 autogenous vein grafts

Purpose: Although duplex surveillance of infrainguinal bypass grafts is widely accepted, the optimal frequency and intensity of graft surveillance remains controversial. Earlier reports have suggested that grafts can be stratified into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the presence or absence of early graft flow disturbances. The purpose of this study was to provide long-term data in determining whether early graft flow disturbances detected by means of duplex scanning can predict the development of intrinsic vein graft stenosis. Methods: We reviewed a series of patients undergoing prospective duplex graft surveillance after autogenous infrainguinal bypass grafting procedures from 1987 to 1997. Patients included in the study underwent at least one duplex scan within 3 months of graft implantation and were observed for a minimum of 6 months. Grafts were categorized as abnormal when a focal flow disturbance with a peak systolic velocity greater than 150 cm/s was identified within 3 months of graft implantation. Results: Of 341 vein grafts in 296 patients who met inclusion criteria, 89 grafts (26%) required revision for intrinsic stenosis; the mean follow-up period was 35 months (range, 6 months to 10 years). Early flow disturbances were detected in 84 (25%) grafts. Grafts with early flow disturbances were more likely to ultimately require revision (43% vs 21%; P = .0001) and required initial revision earlier (8 months vs 16 months; P = .019). Eighty-two percent of initial graft revisions occurred in the first 2 postoperative years; 69% occurred in the first year. However, an annual 2% to 4% incidence of late-appearing graft stenosis persisted during long-term follow-up. An additional 24 patients (7% of grafts) required an inflow or outflow reconstruction. Conclusion: Grafts with early postoperative flow disturbances detected by means of duplex scanning have nearly three times the incidence of graft-threatening stenosis and an earlier requirement for revision, when compared with normal grafts. This suggests that the biology and etiology of these lesions may differ. These data support not only aggressive efforts to detect early graft lesions to stratify grafts at highest risk, but also continued lifelong graft surveillance to detect late-appearing lesions, inflow and outflow disease progression, and maximize graft patency. (J Vasc Surg 1999;30:8-15.)     

Reversed vein graft stenosis: early diagnosis and management.

Conscientious surveillance of intrainguinal bypass grafts is mandatory to detect vein graft stenoses, which, if uncorrected, can lead to graft occlusion. It is now widely accepted that noninvasive vascular laboratory studies are the best way to detect these lesions. However, controversy still exists over treatment, specifically whether balloon angioplasty is an acceptable substitute for surgery (patch angioplasty or short jump grafts) in the treatment of these lesions. We have always favored balloon angioplasty as primary treatment and have summarized our experience with treating 72 stenotic reversed femoropopliteal and femorotibial vein grafts, which represent 12% of 521 bypass grafts performed at our institution. Prosthetic and in situ grafts are specifically excluded from this report, as well as occluded grafts, found to have stenotic lesions after lytic therapy. The most common stenotic lesion occurred within 4 cm of the proximal anastomosis (29/72 = 40%). The other sites were near the distal anastomosis (7/72 = 10%), and in the middle of the graft (15/72 = 12%). Eighty-one percent (58/72) of the lesions were treated initially by balloon angioplasty with a 31% recurrence. Twenty-nine percent of the 14 grafts treated surgically by vein patch angioplasty or short jump grafts experienced recurrence. Overall 61% (44/72) of the stenotic grafts were treated by balloon angioplasty alone. The 5-year life-table assisted primary patency after correction of the stenotic lesion was 61%. The patency of the grafts from the time of initial bypass surgery, however, was 80%. Location of the stenosis within the graft was a major determinant of patency. Lesions in the proximal graft, proximal anastomosis, and distal graft taken as a group had significantly better patency than the midgraft and distal anastomotic lesions (5-year patency, 65% vs 48%, p less than 0.001 log rank test). We continue to recommend balloon angioplasty as primary therapy for vein graft stenosis except for those occurring in the midgraft and distal anastomosis. Fortunately, this group accounts for only 36% of lesions seen with reversed veins. Recurrent stenosis after balloon angioplasty should be repaired surgically.     

Surgical Thrombectomy and Transluminal Balloon Angioplasty for Failed Above-knee Femoropopliteal Polytetrafluoroethylene Bypass Grafts

Endovascular therapy offers an alternative to redo bypass or surgical graft revision for failed above-knee femoropopliteal PTFE bypass grafts. We evaluated the outcome of surgical thrombectomy and balloon angioplasty for the treatment of thrombosed bypass grafts. Thirty selected patients with thrombosed above-knee femoropopliteal PTFE bypass grafts were treated. Under local anesthesia, a surgical thrombectomy followed by bypass graft angiography and balloon angioplasty of perianastomotic stenoses was performed. Stents were used selectively for suboptimal angioplasty results. Patients underwent duplex scanning of the bypass graft postoperatively and at 6-month intervals. Life-table analysis and log-rank (Mantel-Cox) comparisons were performed. Patients were categorized into two groups on the basis of time elapsed from initial bypass graft construction to graft failure. Group 1 included 21 patients with a mean time to graft failure of 10 months (range, 0-20). Surgical thrombectomy was successful in 20 grafts (95%) and 17 patients had a stent placed after angioplasty. Rethrombosis occurred within 30 days in seven grafts (33%) in group 1 and major amputations were performed in six patients (28%). Group 2 included nine patients with a mean time to initial bypass graft failure of 48 months (range, 29-96). All patients in group 2 had a successful surgical thrombectomy and all received a stent. None of the grafts treated in group 2 reoccluded within 30 days of intervention and one patient (11%) went on to require a major amputation. By life-table analysis, the 6- and 12-month patency for group 1 was 15.3% and 5.1%, compared to 58.3% and 38.9% for group 2 (p = 0.027). Surgical thrombectomy along with balloon angioplasty has an unacceptably high rate of failure and limb loss in patients treated for early (<2 years) femoropopliteal PTFE bypass graft thrombosis. Surgical graft revision or redo bypass is recommended to achieve successful revascularization in these patients. Treatment with surgical thrombectomy and balloon angioplasty achieves significantly greater short-term patency results in patients with late (>2 years) bypass graft failure and may be a reasonable alternative for patients who cannot tolerate reoperation or lack autogenous conduit.Presented at the Twenty-eighth Annual Meeting of the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Chicago, IL, June 7, 2003.     

Natural history of infrainguinal vein graft stenosis relative to bypass grafting technique

Purpose: To determine whether the incidence of vein graft stenosis is related to bypass grafting technique and thus modification of postoperative surveillance protocols may be required.Methods: From 1991 to 1996, 338 infrainguinal vein bypasses constructed using in situ (n = 131), reversed (n = 120), nonreversed translocated (n = 48), or spliced/upper extremity vein (n = 39) grafting techniques were evaluated by intraoperative duplex scanning to optimize bypass construction and serially thereafter to detect developing vein graft stenoses. Bypass procedures were performed in 322 patients for critical limb ischemia (83%), claudication (13%), or popliteal aneurysm (4%). Using life-table analysis, graft patency and revision/failure rates were compared relative to grafting technique, need for operative revision, and intraoperative duplex scan results.Results: Three-year primary and secondary graft patency rates were higher (p < 0.001) for in situ bypass grafts (85%/97%) compared with reversed (57%/83%), nonreversed translocated (62%/78%), or alternative (51%/76%) vein bypass grafts. During a mean follow-up interval of 19 months, the incidence of graft revision was higher for reversed saphenous (23%) and alternative (28%) vein bypass grafts compared with in situ (10%) or nonreversed (16%) saphenous vein bypass grafts. Despite a normal intraoperative graft duplex scan, the revision/failure rate of reversed vein grafts was 2.5 times greater than in situ/nonreversed translocated vein conduits (primary patency rate at 3 years, 60% vs 87%, p = 0.009). Bypass grafts modified at operation on the basis of duplex scanning were two times more likely to require postoperative revision than grafts with normal intraoperative scans.Conclusions: The incidence of postoperative graft stenosis and need for revision varies with bypass grafting technique. Reversed vein bypasses and grafts modified at operation may be more prone than in situ vein bypass grafts to develop stenosis and thus require intensive surveillance. Infrainguinal vein graft failure and the need for revision may be reduced by the adoption of bypass grafting techniques that include valve lysis and intraoperative duplex scan assessment. (J Vasc Surg 1997;25:211-25.)     

Durability of vein graft revision: the outcome of secondary procedures

Occlusive lesions that reduced graft blood flow and ankle systolic pressure were identified in 83 femorodistal saphenous vein bypasses by use of duplex scanning or arteriography. Sites of stenosis included vein conduit (n = 41), anastomoses (n = 20), outflow arteries (n = 15), or inflow (n = 9) arteries. One hundred three secondary procedures consisting of vein-patch angioplasty (n = 31), sequential (n = 21) or interposition (n = 17) graft placement, percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty (n = 17), or excision of the lesion and primary anastomosis (n = 16) were performed to correct primary (n = 85) or recurrent (n = 18) graft stenoses. Cumulative graft patency after reintervention was 96% at 1 year, and 85% at 5 years. Stenosis or occlusion of revision sites was less after excision (0 of 16) or replacement (1 of 17) of abnormal segments compared to vein-patch angioplasty (8 of 31) or balloon angioplasty (9 of 18). Sequential or jump grafts constructed to improve graft outflow impaired by either myointimal or atherosclerotic occlusive lesions were the least durable secondary procedures. Five of eight graft failures in this series resulted from sequential/jump graft occlusion. All categories of secondary procedures normalized graft and limb hemodynamics, although only one third of patients reported symptoms of limb ischemia before revision. Surveillance of infrainguinal vein bypasses for occlusive lesions is a valid concept to salvage patent but hemodynamically-failing grafts. Secondary procedures that excised the lesion, used autologous tissue reconstruction, and normalized hemodynamics at the revision site and in the vein bypass were associated with a low incidence of restenosis and prolonged graft patency.     

Duplex ultrasound criteria for femorofemoral bypass revision

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of duplex ultrasound surveillance on the patency of femorofemoral bypasses performed for symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 108 patients (78 men, 30 women) with a mean age of 62 +/- 10 years who underwent femorofemoral prosthetic (n = 100) or vein (n = 8) bypass grafting for symptomatic PAOD (claudication, 38%; rest pain, 41%; tissue loss, 11%; infection, 10%) during a 10-year period. Prior or concomitant inflow iliac artery stenting was performed in 26 patients (24%), and a redo femorofemoral bypass was performed in 19 patients (18%). Duplex ultrasound surveillance of the reconstruction was performed at 6-month intervals to assess patency, graft (midgraft peak systolic flow velocity) hemodynamics, and identify inflow or outflow stenotic lesions. Repair was recommended for a stenosis with a peak systolic velocity (PSV) >300 cm/s and a PSV ratio >3.5. Life-table analysis was used to estimate primary, assisted-primary, and secondary graft patency. RESULTS: During a mean 40-month follow-up (range, 2 to 120 months), 31 bypasses (29%) were revised: 19 duplex-detected stenosis involving the inflow iliac artery (n = 15) or anastomotic stenosis (n = 4), or both, 11 for graft thrombosis, and 1 for graft infection. Abnormal inflow iliac (PSV >300 cm/s) hemodynamics or a mid-graft PSV <60 cm/s was measured in eight of 11 grafts before thrombosis. Mean time to revision was 30 +/- 17 months. The primary graft patency at 1, 3, and 5 years was 86%, 78%, and 62%, respectively. Correction of duplex-detected stenosis resulted in assisted-primary patency of 95% at 1 year and 88% at 3 and 5 years (P < .0001, log-rank). Secondary graft patency was 98% at 1 year and 93% at 3 and 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular laboratory surveillance after femorofemoral bypass that included duplex ultrasound imaging of the inflow iliac artery and graft accurately identified failing grafts. A duplex-detected identified stenosis with a PSV >300 cm/s correlated with failure, and repair of identified lesions was associated with excellent 5-year patency.     

Intraoperative superficial femoral artery balloon angioplasty and popliteal to distal bypass graft: an option for combined open and endovascular treatment of diabetic gangrene

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of combining intraoperative balloon angioplasty (IBA) of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) with distal bypass graft originating from the popliteal artery as a method of lower extremity revascularization in diabetic patients with gangrene. METHODS: Among 380 infrainguinal bypass grafts performed over a 6-year period, there were 110 reversed saphenous vein bypass grafts to the tibial or pedal arteries to treat diabetic patients with gangrene. Diffuse infrainguinal disease was treated with femoral-distal bypass graft (long; n = 46). Popliteal-distal bypass graft was performed when the inflow femoral artery was not significantly diseased (short; n = 52). Focal SFA stenosis and severe infrageniculate disease were treated with combined IBA of the SFA and distal bypass graft originating from the popliteal artery (combined; n = 12). Follow-up was performed with duplex scan surveillance of both the bypass graft and IBA sites. Treatment groups were compared with life-table analysis. RESULTS: There were no perioperative graft failures or amputations. The perioperative mortality rate was 1% (1 of 110). The 2-year primary patency rates were similar in the three groups: 72% in the long bypass graft group, 82% in the short bypass graft group, and 76% in the combined group (P =.8, log-rank test). SFA IBA sites developed recurrent stenosis in two patients, at 7 and 48 months; both were detected with surveillance and treated with percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty. The overall 5-year rate of primary patency was 63%, secondary patency was 78%, limb salvage was 81%, and survival was 35%. There were no significant differences among the three treatment groups with respect to these outcomes. CONCLUSION: Results with the combined procedure were similar to those achieved with either femoral-distal bypass graft or popliteal-distal bypass graft without SFA IBA. These data suggest that IBA of the inflow SFA may be combined with popliteal to distal bypass graft and that this technique is a reasonable alternative to longer, femoral-origin bypass graft in selected diabetic patients with gangrene.     

Recurrent stenosis of common carotid-intracranial internal carotid interposition saphenous vein bypass graft caused by intimal hyperplasia and treated with endovascular stent placement. Case report and review of the literature

Intimal hyperplasia is a well-known cause of delayed stenosis in vein bypass grafts in all types of vascular surgery. Options for treatment of stenosis in peripheral and coronary artery bypass grafts include revision surgery and the application of endovascular techniques such as balloon angioplasty and stent placement. The authors present a case of stenosis caused by intimal hyperplasia in a high-flow common carotid artery-intracranial internal carotid artery (IICA) saphenous vein interposition bypass graft that had been constructed to treat a traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the intracavernous ICA. The stenosis recurred after revision surgery and was successfully treated by endovascular stent placement in the vein graft. The literature on stent placement for vein graft stenoses is reviewed, and the authors add a report of its application to external carotid-internal carotid bypass grafts. Further study is required to define the role of endovascular techniques in the management of stenotic cerebrovascular disease.