Host-artery weakness in the etiology of femoral anastomotic false aneurysms.

From 1970 through 1980, 47 patients developed a total of 69 false femoral artery aneurysms. Of these aneurysms, 58 occurred an average of 6.2 +/- 3.1 (SD) years after the original revascularization procedure. Ten of these aneurysms occurred once after initial repair and one occurred a second time. Endarterectomy was performed in almost one third of the arteries that later developed false aneurysms. Aneurysms developed in 18 endarterectomized arteries after performance of an anastomosis with a vein patch or Dacron graft. Infection was present in only one case. The suture material in the primary anastomosis was predominantly braided Dacron. Hypertension and bleeding were not commonly associated. Endarterectomy weakens anastomoses and is a factor in false aneurysm formation.