Intra-operative graft blood flow related to failure of femoro-popliteal bypass grafts

Vein graft factors in the outcome of femorodistal bypass

Various vein factors affect the outcome of femorodistal bypass using vein in the treatment of lower limb ischaemia. In this review, the effect of factors such as vein size, compliance and morphology are discussed.

The predictive value of blood flow velocity in femoro-distal bypass

The predictive value of peroperative blood flow measurements has been evaluated in a prospective study of femoro-distal bypass grafts. Seventy grafts placed in patients with critical ischaemia were assessed with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Thirty-one grafts were performed using autogenous saphenous vein (ASV), 27 using a polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis (PTFE) and in 12 human umbilical vein (HUV) was used. Six grafts failed early (within 1 month of operation) and 19 failed late, giving an overall patency rate of 60% at 5 years. ASV grafts had a significantly better patency rate than either prosthetic material. Analysis of flow rates measured before and after regional vasodilatation revealed no significant differences between types of graft or between grafts that subsequently failed and those remaining patent. Flow velocity prior to vasodilatation was significantly higher in patent grafts (mean 13.6) compared to those failing early (mean 6.3), but not compared to those failing late (mean 9.4). Flow velocities were also significantly higher in ASV grafts than prosthetic grafts. Flow velocity measured after vasodilatation was significantly higher in grafts remaining patent (mean 28.4) than those which failed late (mean 19.2). It is concluded that flow velocity is of value in the prediction of graft outcome. Graft velocity after vasodilatation of less than 20 cm/s. Predicted failure in 19 of 25 grafts that occluded. We are currently evaluating the selective use of anticoagulants in femoropopliteal grafts with a maximal flow velocity below 20 cm/s.

Axillofemoral and femorofemoral grafts: a 6-year experience with emphasis on the relationship of peroperative flow measurement to graft survival

Over a 6-year period 64 axillofemoral bypass and femorofemoral crossover grafts have been performed in 58 patients, most of whom were considered unfit for intra-abdominal surgery. Indications were peripheral ischaemia in 78 per cent and disabling claudication in 22 per cent. The limb salvage rate at 3 years was 75 per cent. No claudicants lost limbs, but only one-third of patients presenting with forefoot gangrene or ulceration avoided amputation. Most patients presenting with ischaemic symptoms at rest had associated femoropopliteal and distal disease, confirmed by the ankle pressure index measurements, and this influenced graft patency. Although the cumulative patency at 3 years for all grafts combined was 57 per cent with similar patencies for both the axillofemoral and femorofemoral grafts, early occlusion was more common in axillofemoral grafts and this may be reduced in bifemoral grafts by the increased flow rate in the vertical limbs. Peroperative electromagnetic flowmeter measurements were made after reconstruction on 55 femoral arteries in 46 of the patients and graft flow velocities were derived from these measurements. Comparison between velocities from those grafts remaining patent and those subsequently occluding showed a high incidence of occlusion in grafts with a maximal velocity after distal vasodilatation of less than 8 cm/s. Graft occlusion after the first postoperative month was more commonly associated with other factors such as continued smoking, severity of distal disease and perigraft infection.