Femoropopliteal bypass using polytetrafluoroethylene

Improved technique for polytetrafluoroethylene bypass grafting: long-term results using anastomotic vein patches

Results of peripheral arterial bypass using polytetrafluoroethylene grafts have remained poor in comparison with those using saphenous vein grafts, particularly for anastomoses to tibial and peroneal vessels. A simple modification to the conventional operative technique, involving the incorporation of a vein patch into the distal anastomosis, has enabled considerable improvement. Five-year patency rates of 71 per cent for popliteal and 54 per cent for infrapopliteal grafts have been achieved in a series of 256 patients operated on between 1982 and 1989.

Current techniques for infrainguinal arterial reconstruction

Infrainguinal reconstruction for peripheral vascular occlusive disease comprises an increasingly complex array of interventions which provide unparalleled options for the salvage of threatened limbs. Conventional autogenous saphenous vein bypass remains the most durable revascularization with anticipated graft patency rates approaching 80 percent after five years and excellent long term limb salvage. These excellent results are equally applicable to vein grafts carried to infrapopliteal and even inframalleolar levels, possibly reflecting increased utilization of the in situ method. Although 20 per cent of grafts fail within five years, secondary intervention results in sustained limb salvage in the majority of patients. In the absence of autogenous vein, however, prosthetic material performs poorly such that new interventions consisting of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, rotary atherectomy devices and laser systems are under aggressive development. Although initial results with these devices are encouraging, long term patency rates remain poor largely due to restenosis. Further progress seems to depend primarily on an increased understanding of the natural healing response of the injured artery.

Saphenous vein or PTFE for femoropopliteal bypass. A prospective randomized trial

To evaluate the patency of PTFE (Gore-tex) as a femoropopliteal bypass, a prospective randomized trial was performed between PTFE and saphenous vein. Forty-nine consecutive patients with intermittent claudication, rest pain, or tissue loss due to an occlusion of the superficial femoral artery entered the study. Randomization between PTFE and saphenous vein was performed at the time of operation after assessment of the quality of the latter. The two groups did not differ significantly regarding stage of peripheral ischemia, outflow tract, or localization of the distal anastomosis. The patency rate 6 weeks after operation was 92% for each group. After a mean follow-up of 54 months, the patency rate for the PTFE group was 37% and 70% for the saphenous vein group (p less than 0.001). In the PTFE group, there were eight major amputations. No amputations were performed in the saphenous vein group. It is concluded from this study that the saphenous vein is by far superior to PTFE as a femoropopliteal bypass.