Long-term results of venous blood flow arterialization of the leg and foot in patients with critical lower limb ischemia.

This paper analyzes the long-term results of venous blood flow arterializations of the leg and foot, performed in 67 patients with critical lower limb ischemia at the Department of Vascular Surgery, Russian Scientific Center of Surgery, over the period from 1996. Indications for surgery were occlusions of the arteries of the femoropopliteotibial segment, which excluded the possibility of performing reconstructive bypass graftings. Analysis of the long-term results of venous blood flow arterialization of the leg and foot evidences its high efficacy. The use of such operation in patients with initial critical lower limb ischemia enables amputation of the involved limb to be avoided in 64% of cases and ensures the high level of physical and social adaptation of the patient for the nearest 2-3 years.