Arm vein as a last autogenous option for infrainguinal bypass surgery: it is worth the effort

Considerable evidence exists for the use of arm vein conduit in lower limb bypass surgery. The use of arm vein in preference to synthetic conduit as a last autogenous option was assessed for patency and limb salvage outcomes.

A prospective database was interrogated and checked against TQEH operating theatre database to detect all infrainguinal arm vein bypasses performed between 1997 and 2005. Patency, limb salvage and survival data for 37 arm vein bypasses was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier survival estimate method.

There were no perioperative deaths. 30 day patency rates were 89% primary, 95% secondary and 95% limb salvage. 12 month patency rates were 56% primary, 79% secondary and 91% limb salvage. 5 year patency rates were 37% primary, 76% secondary and 91% limb salvage. There was no significant patency advantage for primary vs. "redo" grafts (p=0.54), single vessel vs. spliced conduits (p=0.33) or popliteal vs tibial outflow (p=0.80). Patient survival rate was 92% and 65% at 1 and 5 years respectively.

Lower limb bypasses using arm vein can be performed with favourable patency and limb salvage compared to synthetic conduits. However, secondary interventions are frequently required to maintain patency. We recommend a vigilant surveillance program for early identification of patency threatening disease.