Axillofemoral Bypass Graft: The Outcome of 66 Procedures

Sixty-six axillofemoral bypasses have been performed since 1978. The indi cations for operation were limb salvage in 62%, claudication in 24%, and in traabdominal sepsis in 14%. Three-year patency by Life-Table analysis was 88.8% for the entire group. Patients operated upon because of claudication had 100% patency at three years and fared better than the other groups. Periopera tive mortality was 15% in all patients, but only 7% in those operated upon electively. Limb salvage at two years was 64%. Although concomitant lower extremity bypass improved the patency of the axillofemoral graft, it failed to improve the limb salvage rate. Axillofemoral bypass can be successfully per formed in selected patients with a low incidence of reoperation.