Aortofemoral grafting: factors influencing late results

During a 15-year period, the aortofemoral Dacron graft was used for revascularization of 615 limbs in 352 patients, with an overall operative mortality rate of 5.1% and a cumulative 10-year patency rate of 62%. The late complication rate was 27%, with late thrombosis being by far the most frequent complication (24%). Among several factors responsible for late occlusion, the presence of trifurcation disease and the site of the femoral anastomosis are by far the most important. Our procedure of choice for a thrombosed graft limb is thrombectomy and profundaplasty, which give a long-term patency rate of 68%.