Intensive surveillance of femoropopliteal-tibial autogenous vein bypasses improves long-term graft patency and limb salvage.

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OBJECTIVE: The authors determined the impact of an intensive surveillance program of autogenous vein bypasses on patency and limb salvage. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Surveillance protocols of vein bypasses can identify graft-threatening lesions to permit elective revisions before thrombosis. The authors compared follow-up based on clinically indicated procedures with intensive surveillance. METHODS: From 1985 to 1994, 615 autogenous vein bypasses (454 in situ, 161 reversed/composite) to popliteal (n = 169) and tibial (n = 446) arteries were performed for critical limb ischemia (n = 507), claudication (n = 88), and popliteal aneurysm (n = 20). Intensive surveillance of autogenous vein bypasses consisted of ankle brachial index and duplex scan with graft velocities measured at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and every 6 months subsequently. After surgery 317 bypasses had intensive surveillance, 222 bypasses were clinically indicated for follow-up, and 76 bypasses were excluded because follow-up or patency was less than 31 days. RESULTS: Primary patency at 5 years was similar for bypasses treated by intensive surveillance (56%) and those treated with clinically indicated procedures (67%). Secondary patency and limb salvage at 5 years was significantly improved (p < 0.02) for bypasses followed by intensive surveillance (80% and 94%) compared with clinically indicated procedures (67% and 73%). Revision of patent bypasses was higher (p < 0.000001) for bypasses treated by intensive surveillance (61 of 70, 87%) compared with those treated with clinically indicated procedures (9 of 34, 26%). Secondary patency at 2 years was significantly higher (p < 0.02) for revision of patent bypasses (79%) compared with thrombosed bypasses (55%). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term autogenous vein bypass patency and limb salvage is significantly improved by intensive surveillance, permitting identification and correction of graft threatening lesions before thrombosis.

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