Long-term results justify autogenous infrainguinal bypass grafting in patients with end-stage renal failure

Introduction: Infrainguinal bypass grafting for limb-threatening ischemia in patients with end-stage renal disease is generally thought to be associated with increased operative risk and poor long-term outcome. This retrospective study was undertaken to examine the modern-era, long-term results of infrainguinal bypass grafting in dialysis-dependent patients. Methods: Over the past 5 years in a single institution, 425 lower extremities (368 consecutive patients) were revascularized for the indication of limb salvage. Sixty-four patients (82 Limbs) were dialysis-dependent at the time of revascularization, and this group was analyzed separately They exhibited statistically significant higher incidences of diabetes (83% vs 56%; P < .001), hypertension (91% vs 74%; P < .001), and more distal vascular disease, which required a greater proportion of proximal anastomoses at the popliteal level (24% vs 11%; P < .01) and distal anastomoses at the infrapopliteal level (75% vs 65%; P < .05). Results: Despite the higher prevalence of comorbid conditions and distal disease in patients with renal failure, their perioperative 30-day mortality rate remained low (4.9%) and was not significantly different from that in patients with functioning kidneys (2.9%; P = not significant). After a median follow-up of 11 months (range, 0-60 months), the a-year autogenous conduit secondary graft patency in patients with renal failure was no different than in patients with functioning kidneys (67% +/- 9% vs 64% +/- 5%; P = not significant). Nonautogenous conduits in dialysis-dependent patients exhibited a significantly poorer outcome with only 27% +/- 12% remaining secondarily patent at 2 years. As expected, both limb salvage and patient survival were significantly less in patients with renal failure, although both exceeded 50% at 3 years (limb salvage 59% +/- 8% vs 68% +/- 5%; P < .05; patient survival 60% +/- 8% vs 86% +/- 4%; P < .001). The often-quoted phenomenon of limb loss, despite a patent bypass graft, occurred infrequently in this study (n = 3 of 82 limbs). Conclusion: Infrainguinal revascularization can be performed in dialysis-dependent patients with acceptable perioperative and long-term results, especially in patients in whom adequate autologous conduit is available.