Objective The authors determined the impact of an intensive surveillance program of autogenous vein bypasses on patency and limb salvage. Summary Background Data Surveillance protocols of vein bypasses can identify graft-threatening lesions to permit elective revisions before thrombosis. The authors compared follow-up based on clinically indicated procedures with intensive surveillance. Methods From 1985 to 1994, 615 autogenous Vein bypasses (454 in situ, 161 reversed/composite) to popliteal (n = 169) and tibial (n = 446) arteries were performed for critical limb ischemia(n = 507), claudication (n = 88), and popliteal aneurysm (n = 20). Intensive surveillance of autogenous vein bypasses consisted of ankle brachial index and duplex scan with graft velocities measured at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and every 6 months subsequently. After surgery 317 bypasses had intensive surveillance, 222 bypasses were clinically indicated for follow-up, and 76 bypasses were excluded because follow-up or patency was less than 31 days. Results Primary patency at 5 years was similar for bypasses treated by intensive surveillance (56%) and those treated with clinically indicated procedures (67%). Secondary patency and limb salvage at 5 years was significantly improved (p < 0.02) for bypasses followed by intensive surveillance (80% and 94%) compared with clinically indicated procedures (67% and 73%). Revision of patent bypasses was higher (p < 0.000001) for bypasses treated by intensive surveillance (61 of 70, 87%) compared with those treated with clinically indicated procedures (9 of 34, 26%). Secondary patency at 2 years was significantly higher (p < 0.02) for revision of patent bypasses (79%) compared with thrombosed bypasses (55%). Conclusions Long-term autogenous vein bypass patency and limb salvage is significantly improved by intensive surveillance, permitting identification and correction of graft threatening lesions before thrombosis.
