R J Holdsworth1, S Naidu, P Gervaz, P T McCollum. 1. Department of Vascular Surgery, Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, U.K.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term patency of a modified biological conduit, the glutaraldehyde-tanned bovine carotid artery, in above-knee infrainguinal arterial reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective follow-up of a cohort of 58 above-knee femoropopliteal grafts in 55 patients. Graft patency was assessed at yearly intervals with doppler ankle pressure measurements. RESULTS: The median follow-up period has been 67 months. Nine grafts occluded within 30 days of surgery and a further 19 graft closures have been observed in the follow-up period. The overall cumulative primary graft patency at 1, 3 and 5 years was 70%, 61% and 56%, respectively. If the 30-day graft failures are excluded, the primary graft patency rises to 83%, 74% and 68% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Six limbs have been amputated, four above the knee and two below the knee. There were no graft aneurysms and no graft infections. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that the modified bovine carotid artery graft with an above-knee anastomosis does not seem to be inferior to PTFE, but is inferior to reversed vein. Modified biological conduits offer a reasonable alternative to synthetic grafts for infrainguinal arterial reconstruction and appear to maintain acceptable long-term mechanical stability.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term patency of a modified biological conduit, the glutaraldehyde-tanned bovine carotid artery, in above-knee infrainguinal arterial reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective follow-up of a cohort of 58 above-knee femoropopliteal grafts in 55 patients. Graft patency was assessed at yearly intervals with doppler ankle pressure measurements. RESULTS: The median follow-up period has been 67 months. Nine grafts occluded within 30 days of surgery and a further 19 graft closures have been observed in the follow-up period. The overall cumulative primary graft patency at 1, 3 and 5 years was 70%, 61% and 56%, respectively. If the 30-day graft failures are excluded, the primary graft patency rises to 83%, 74% and 68% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Six limbs have been amputated, four above the knee and two below the knee. There were no graft aneurysms and no graft infections. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that the modified bovine carotid artery graft with an above-knee anastomosis does not seem to be inferior to PTFE, but is inferior to reversed vein. Modified biological conduits offer a reasonable alternative to synthetic grafts for infrainguinal arterial reconstruction and appear to maintain acceptable long-term mechanical stability.