Factors Influencing Patency of Infrainguinal Bypasses with Polytetrafluoroethylene

Abstract.

This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the patency and limb salvage rates of 308 PTFE infrainguinal bypasses in 272 patients over a 5-year period. In addition a univariate analysis was performed to identify factors that could predict the outcome of these operations. Long-term survival was 83% and 50% at one and five years respectively. For the whole series the primary cumulative patency at one and five years was 70% and 41% respectively. Graft revision for failed or failing grafts resulted in secondary patency rates of 78% and 43% for the same periods. The limb salvage rates were 93% and 84% at one and five years.

Patency rates showed no statistical significant difference for gender, age at operation or the use of a venous cuff at the distal anastomosis. Although there was a tendency towards better results for above the knee operations, this difference failed to achieve statistical significance. Only redo operations were associated with a significant worse outcome.

Key words:

• Limb salvage
• PTFE bypass
• vein cuff
• graft patency
• secondary operations