Factors influencing patency of infrainguinal bypasses with polytetrafluoroethylene

This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the patency and limb salvage rates of 308 PTFE infrainguinal bypasses in 272 patients over a 5-year period. In addition a univariate analysis was performed to identify factors that could predict the outcome of these operations. Long-term survival was 83% and 50% at one and five years respectively. For the whole series the primary cumulative patency at one and five years was 70% and 41% respectively. Graft revision for failed or failing grafts resulted in secondary patency rates of 78% and 43% for the same periods. The limb salvage rates were 93% and 84% at one and five years. Patency rates showed no statistical significant difference for gender, age at operation or the use of a venous cuff at the distal anastomosis. Although there was a tendency towards better results for above the knee operations, this difference failed to achieve statistical significance. Only redo operations were associated with a significant worse outcome.