Femoropopliteal vein grafts for claudication. Analysis of 100 consecutive cases.

One hundred consecutive femoropopliteal venous grafts in 85 patients with claudication were followed for five years. At this time, three limbs had been amputated, approximately one quarter of the patients had expired, and 70% of the grafts in surviving patients remained patent. It is concluded that this operation does not appear to increase the risk of amputation and in fact, may lessen it. Moreover, it is associated with minimal risk and generally provides long term relief of claudication, thus enhancing the quality of life in most patients.