Axillo-femoral (PTFE) and infrainguinal revascularization (PTFE and umbilical vein). Vascular Registry of the New England Society for Vascular Surgery.

The Vascular Registry Committee of the New England Society for Vascular Surgery (NESVS) has prospectively evaluated prosthetic bypass grafts. A record of these operations and follow-up data were voluntarily submitted by members of the Society during the last 13 years. The 5-year primary patency rate for 103 axillo-femoral procedures was significantly greater for the bifemoral group (55%) than for the unifemoral group (14%). For infrainguinal reconstruction (402 cases), the 5-year primary patency rates were as follows: 57% (fem-pop AK PTFE claudication); 46% (fem-pop AK PTFE rest pain); 32% (fem-pop AK PTFE necrosis); 26% (fem-pop BK PTFE claudication); 17% (fem-pop BK PTFE rest pain); 21% (fem-pop BK PTFE necrosis); 69% (fem-pop AK umbilical vein); and 45% (fem-pop BK umbilical vein). None of the femoral tibial or peroneal prosthetic bypass grafts remained patent for 5 years. Umbilical vein bypasses may have had a higher patency than PTFE bypass; however, they did develop aneurysmal changes.