Femoropopliteal bypass for limb salvage.

A total of 148 femoropopliteal bypass procedures followed for a minimum of 2 years yielded a patency rate of 61.9 percent among survivors. Diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, quality of the outflow, or prior inflow procedures did not influence patency rate. Results were less satisfactory in women and when cloth grafts were used. The indications for femoropopliteal bypass require continuing careful assessment.