Transluminal angioplasty of failing infrainguinal arterial by-pass grafts: initial and long-term results in 13 patients.

Thirteen stenotic infrainguinal arterial bypasses (12 venous, 1 Gore-tex graft) were treated by transluminal angioplasty, either percutaneously (10 patients) or surgically (3 patients). Eleven procedures were immediately successful (two at the proximal portions of femoropopliteal grafts, six near the distal anastomoses, and three at the distal parts of femoroinfrapopliteal grafts) and dilated stenoses are still patent with a mean duration of 24 months in all patients except 2 who died during the follow-up period. The calculated cumulative patency rate is 85% at 36 months. Two procedures were followed by immediate disruption near the distal end of an in situ saphenous bypass graft where balloon inflation was performed. These required immediate surgical repair. Dilatation of the distal ends of in situ saphenous femoropopliteal bypasses may not be as safe as in other locations.