Preoperative angiographic score and intraoperative flow as predictors of the mid-term patency of infrapopliteal bypass grafts

Objectives: preoperative angiographic characteristics of the outflow tract have emerged as a predictive factor for the outcome of infrapopliteal reconstructions. Direct flow measurement can be routinely performed intraoperatively, but little is known regarding its impact on graft outcome. The present study was undertaken to compare the value of these parameters in predicting the mid-term potency of infrapopliteal bypass grafts. Design: retrospective clinical study. Patients: 172 infrapopliteal reconstructions using autogenous vein were performed, of which 92 had a crural and 80 a pedal recipient artery. Methods: the preoperative angiogram was scored according to the SVS/ISCVS Ad Hoc Committee. At the end of the operation flow was measured with a transit-time flowmeter. Follow-up consisted of pressure measurements and duplex scanning. Results: the runoff score had no impact on femorocrural graft patency. For pedal grafts there tons a tendency for inferior outcome with high runoff score, as the 1-year assisted primary potency for grafts with a completely occluded pedal arch was 11% compared with 52% for grafts with lower scores (p=0.056). Both intraoperative volume graft flow and maximum flow capacity had a highly significant influence on the outcome on crural reconstructions on univariate analysis. For pedal reconstructions only a a severely reduced maximum polo capacity after injection of papaverin was associated with an adverse outcome. Multivariate analysis revealed that maximum pou, capacity tons an independent significant factor affecting patency of femoroinfrapopliteal grafts (relative risk = 0.53 per 30 ml/min increase, p<0.001). The runoff score was also a weak independent predictor of 1-year assisted primary patency in these grafts (relative risk = 1.9 for a score >4 in crural and a score >5.5 in pedal grafts, p=0.036). Conclusions: a completely occluded pedal arch in preoperative angiography was associated with poor infrapopliteal bypass outcome. Graft flow and maximal flow capacity are good predictors of the 1-year graft patency of femorocrural bypasses.