LATE RESULTS AND ANGIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF ARM VEINS AS LONG BYPASS GRAFTS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 92  (6) , 1032-1041
Abstract
Late results and angiographic evaluation of arm veins as arterial bypass grafts have not been reported previously. From 1969-1979, 68 long bypasses were performed using arm veins exclusively. There were 41 femoropopliteal bypasses, 6 peripheral aneurysm resections, 16 femorotibial bypasss and 5 other bypasses. Patients (64) were followed from 2-10 yr. In peripheral aneurysm cases, all grafts were patent at 1 yr, and long-term patency (to 127 mo.) was achieved in 5 of 6 patients. In the 41 femoropopliteal bypasses, cumulative life table patency rates at 1, 2, 3 and 5 yr were 62, 47, 31 and 31%. Unlike grafts with saphenous veins, significant graft attribution occurred in the 2nd and 3rd postoperative yr. With femorotibial bypasses, the 1-, 2- and 5-yr life table patency rates were 43, 31 and 15%. Late (4-10 yr) angiographic evaluation of 7 grafts revealed a pattern of graft elongation and dilation. One aneurysmal graft, partially resected 103 mo. after insertion, showed atheromatous changes. Apaprently, when used as infrainguinal bypass grafts, arm veins have distinct limitations and may be inferior to other presently available material.