• Vol. 29 No. 4, 434–438
  • 15 July 2000

Long-Term Outcome of Aortofemoral Bypass for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Revascularisation of aortoiliac occlusive disease has been evolving in the past 2 decades. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term outcomes of aortofemoral bypass for aortoiliac occlusive disease at a tertiary vascular disease centre in Hong Kong.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 94 patients (176 limbs) who survived aortofemoral bypass was performed to evaluate the graft patency, long-term complications, limb loss and patient survival rates. Thirty-six patients were operated for incapacitating claudication (Group I) and 58 for limb salvage (Group II).

Results: The overall primary patency rates of aortofemoral bypass were 97%, 90%, 89% and 84% at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Poor distal run-off and neointimal hyperplasia were the leading causes of late graft failure. Other late complications included femoral pseudoaneurysm (n = 1), infection (n = 1) and femoral graft aneurysms (n = 2). The limb loss rate was 5.1% at 4 years. The overall survival rates were 95%, 86%, 81% and 75% at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years, respectively. Ischaemic heart disease and malignancy were the 2 major causes of late death. The 5-year survival rate of group I patients (96%) was significantly superior to that of group II patients (70%).

Conclusions: Aortofemoral bypass achieved a primary patency rate of 89% at 5 years and a satisfactory limb salvage rate. It remains the preferred treatment option for good risk patients with complete occlusion or extensive stenosis of the aortoiliac arteries.


The management of aortoiliac occlusive disease has been evolving in the past few decades. Surgical options include aortofemoral bypass, endarterectomy, extraanatomical bypass and endovascular intervention.

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