Intra-operative inflow resistance measurement: a predictor of steal syndromes following femoro-femoral bypass grafting.

Although femorofemoral bypass grafting was originally used only as a method of limb salvage, it is now used increasingly in patients with claudication. If this trend is to be supported, the haemodynamic consequences of the operation must be carefully assessed. Fifteen patients undergoing femorofemoral grafting were studied prospectively by intra-operative measurement of the inflow resistance (IR) of the donor iliac segment. Three groups were identified by this technique. Patients with an IR less than 0.05 (n = 8) were uncomplicated; those with an IR greater than or equal to 0.05 but less than 0.10 (n = 5) developed a subclinical steal syndrome; and those with an IR greater than 0.10 (n = 2) developed a clinical steal syndrome. High initial IR values were corrected at the time of surgery in two cases. This study demonstrates that steal syndromes can occur after femorofemoral grafting and that the cause is an unmasking of previously unrecognized disease in the donor arterial segment. The measurement of IR allows the prediction of steal syndromes and their correction at the time of surgery. Direct haemodynamic studies are recommended, especially as the availability of balloon angioplasty has made inflow disease amenable to treatment.