Extra Anatomic Aorto-Iliac Revascularization Using Descending Thoracic Aorta to Bifemoral Bypass in Selected Cases

When best medical treatment fails to relieve symptoms of aorto-iliac occlusive disease, endovascular treatment or conventional open surgery are the remaining options depending on lesions and patients' characteristics. However, in certain situations both endovascular tools and abdominal aorta to bifemoral bypass (TFB) are not an option and the use of the descending thoracic aorta may be considered as an inflow site for revascularization.

This work is a single-center retrospective study. Between 2008 and 2020, 27 patients were identified who were treated with descending thoracic aorta to TFB for severe aorto-iliac occlusive disease. Primary end point was 30-day postoperative mortality and major cardiovascular events. Secondary end points were primary patency, secondary patency, and all-cause mortality.

The mean age of patients was 68 years and the majority (88.9%) presented with severe claudication. Eighteen patients underwent isolated TFB and 9 had TFB and concomitant visceral vessel revascularization. The mean length of stay was 14 days and there was no postoperative death. Complications, mainly pulmonary, occurred in 29.8% of the cases. After a mean of 26 months of follow-up, survival rate was 95% and primary and secondary patency rates were 92.6% and 96.3%, respectively. Mean Rutherford index shifted from 3.1 to 1.2 (P < 0.001).

TFB is an invasive procedure which provides high clinical improvement and patency rates. This procedure should remain part of the vascular surgeon portfolio.