Axillobifemoral Bypasses: Reappraisal of an Extra-Anatomic Bypass by Analysis of Results and Prognostic Factors

Extra-anatomic bypass procedures for severe aortoiliac occlusive disease-A cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Extra-anatomic bypass (ExAB) grafting has been questioned due its inferior durability compared to anatomic bypass for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). This study aims to present early and late outcomes of patients treated with ExAB as well as to evaluate potential prognostic factors.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study presenting a series of patients treated with ExAB for AIOD. All patients were treated between 2005 and 2022 within the Vascular Surgery Unit of a University Surgery Clinic. Both early (30-day) and late outcomes were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for potential predictors. Kaplan-Meier curve was produced for long-term patency.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients were treated (85.3% males; mean age: 76.3 ± 4.2 years). Indication for treatment included severe claudication or critical limb ischemia (Rutherford stages III-VI). The following procedures were recorded: Femorofemoral bypass (FFB; n = 21) and axillofemoral bypass (AxFB; n = 20). All procedures were conducted using synthetic grafts with external rings. Early outcomes included no death, no myocardial infarction, no major bleeding, no graft infection, and no major amputation. Regarding late outcomes, 14.6% patients were lost after the first month. For the rest of patients (n = 35), five-year primary patency was 88.6%, primary-assisted patency was 94.3%, and secondary patency was also 94.3%. Limb salvage was 100% within follow-up. Endarterectomy at the distal anastomosis was the only independent predictor associated with worse patency in the long-term (OR = 5.356; 95% CI (1.012-185.562); p = .041).

CONCLUSIONS

FFB and AxFB is a safe and durable strategy for treating patients with severe AIOD where no other option is feasible. Regarding predictors, only endarterectomy at the distal anastomosis site was associated with an increased risk for graft failure.

Combined Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Extra-anatomic Ascending Aorta to Bifemoral Grafting Through Median Sternotomy

A high proportion of patients with severe systemic atherosclerotic disease present with the involvement of both the coronary and aortoiliac arteries. For these patients with multiple comorbidities and high surgical risk, it is critical to minimize the overall physiologic burden of the operation when possible. Furthermore, with severe or complete occlusion of vascular supply to the lower extremities, it is beneficial to avoid two-stage surgeries because of the high risk of irreversible ischemia necessitating amputation. In select cases, a single combined operation without entering the abdominal cavity may be a reliable option. We present a case with excellent results using the technique of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and extra-anatomic ascending aorta to bifemoral grafting through median sternotomy and subcutaneous tunneling. Furthermore, there is a wide variation in anticoagulation reversal practices among surgeons after performing these combined grafting operations. We administered only half of the ideal calculated protamine dose for reversal of heparinization, which achieved favorable results in our patient. Overall, with symptomatic occlusion of the coronary and aortoiliac arteries, combined CABG and extra-anatomic aortobifemoral grafting with subcutaneous tunneling is a reliable surgical option. The indication for this approach should be tailored to the anatomy of the lesion and the urgency of the clinical scenario.