Long-term results of combined aortoiliac and infrainguinal arterial reconstruction for the treatment of critical limb ischemia.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate our long-term experience with combined iliac endovascular therapy (EVT) and infrainguinal bypass to treat critical limb ischemia (CLI) and compare outcomes to those of patients who underwent surgery for aortoiliac lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 2000 to June 2013, 57 patients (58 limbs) underwent an infrainguinal bypass combined with aortoiliac reconstruction to treat CLI. Eighteen limbs were treated by bypass alone and 8 limbs were treated by bypass with EVT for aortoiliac lesions (Bypass group). Thirty-two limbs were subjected to EVT alone for iliac lesions (EVT group).

RESULTS

Preoperative limb ischemia was more severe in the EVT group. There were no significant differences in major procedure-related complications (χ(2) test, P = 0.853), systemic complications (P = 0.853), and mortality (P = 0.916) between the 2 groups. The limb salvage rates were 92% at 1, 3, and 5 years in the Bypass group and 93% at 1, 3, and 5 years in the EVT group, with no significant difference observed between the groups (Kaplan-Meier, log-rank test, P = 0.616).

CONCLUSION

Infrainguinal surgical reconstruction combined with an iliac EVT is an acceptable strategy for managing patients with CLI.