Aortic graft infections: replacement with autogenous vein.

The purpose of this review article is to summarize our published experience with the use of the superficial femoral-popliteal vein (SFPV) to replace infected aortic prostheses. The SFPV has proven to be resistant to infections of all types and has shown no signs of degeneration over the long term. Since SFPV bypass and prosthetic graft excision are performed as a single stage, operative times are extensive. Therefore, it may not be appropriate for the sickest patients with severe medical comorbidities. Nevertheless, the operation has been associated with gratifyingly low mortality and amputation rates that are far better than published rates associated with graft excision and extra-anatomic bypass. It is particularly suited to patients with complex aortofemoral graft reconstructions who cannot undergo extra-anatomic revascularization for technical reasons. The venous sequella of SFPV harvest are minimal. These data and those from three other centers support the conclusion that graft excision and replacement with SFPV is an excellent alternative for treatment of aortic graft infections.