Continued experience with intraoperative angioscopy for monitoring infrainguinal bypass grafting

Intraoperative angioscopy provides direct, in vivo, three-dimensional visualization of the interior of the blood vessels and grafts. We have shown previously that with the application of the basic principles of irrigation and with a dedicated irrigation pump that routine intraoperative angioscopy can be performed with consistent high quality results during lower extremity revascularization. In our total experience with angioscopy as a monitoring procedure during infrainguinal bypass grafting, 259 intraoperative angioscopies, during 63 femoropopliteal and 196 distal bypass grafts, were performed from May 1, 1987, to October 31, 1989. Mean total irrigation fluid used in the study was 448 ml (range, 0 to 1400 ml) with good visual quality in more than 80% of the studies. The overall failure rate was 1.5%. No complications were directly attributable to the insertion of the angioscope or the use of the pump. Based on the angioscopic findings, 124 clinical or surgical decisions were made in 259 of the angioscopies. The incidence of graft failure in this study was 8.1% (less than 30 days) and 4.8% (greater than 30 days) with a mean follow-up of 272 days. Direct inspection of the interior of the graft and native vessels at the time of surgery has resulted in the recognition of previously unsuspected vein-graft pathology. Angioscopy as the sole monitoring procedure for infrainguinal bypass grafting is safe, effective, and reliable and may not only improve the durability of these grafts but may improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of graft failure and of the progression of the underlying atherosclerotic disease.