Late upper extremity embolic complications of occluded axillofemoral grafts

The use of axillary femoral grafting in the treatment of patients at high risk for aortoiliac reconstruction has become a widely accepted treatment modality. Ischemia and even loss of the donor upper extremity have been reported to occur early after graft occlusion. This report describes three patients who developed emboli to the upper extremity at nine, 15, and 34 months following occlusion of their axillary femoral graft. Based on our experience, we consider an occluded axillofemoral graft a permanent threat to the viability of the donor upper extremity. Anatomic changes suggestive of potential ischemia include: presence of a blind pouch in the graft stump, or "Y" elongation of the artery with proliferative changes in the intima.