Descending thoracic aortobifemoral bypass: an alternative approach for difficult aortic revascularization

Descending thoracic aortobifemoral bypass is an alternative inflow operation in cases in which standard aortobifemoral or axillobifemoral bypass is not an option. We performed descending thoracic aortobifemoral bypass for failed inflow operations in four patients, prior abdominal/pelvic radiation in two patients, poor quality distal aorta (extensive atherosclerotic disease or poor tissue quality) in two patients, and abdominal sepsis in two patients. Eight have had excellent results with patency at a mean follow-up of 38 months. There was no limb loss. One patient died of organ failure, and one patient with hypercoagulability developed a graft clot. A literature review disclosed that a descending thoracic aortobifemoral bypass was reported to have been performed in 203 patients, with most cases reported in the last decade. This procedure was the primary inflow operation in 42 per cent of cases. Indications for the operation included failed aortic grafts (38%), "hostile" abdomen (21%), infected aortic grafts (18%), and other (23%). The patency rate was 95 per cent at 6 months. Few long-term results are known, but the results appear to be durable. Descending thoracic aortobifemoral bypass is a useful operation in highly selected circumstances in which conventional methods of aortic reconstruction are not available.