Factors Influencing Limb Survival After Femoropopliteal Reconstruction

Abstract

FOR ANY evolving surgical procedure, there is a constant need for critical review of results. This is particularly true for arterial reconstruction, where the final word, in terms of survival of the part, may not be written for several years. The Peter Bent Brigham and West Roxbury Veterans Administration hospitals are affiliated teaching institutions whose surgical services have been engaged in arterial reconstructive surgery for the past 15 years, treating a heterogeneous atherosclerotic population with a variety of arterial reconstructions. Previous reports from these institutions have shown a high rate of early success in femoropopliteal reconstructions, but a lower patency rate (52% to 60%) at one year.¹ The following study was undertaken to survey the changes of techniques and of policies that have occurred in the past eight years, with a particular view to certain prognostic factors dealt with scantily, if at all, in other reports. These factors include (1)