Pseudoaneurysms and related complications of aortic bypass grafts

During a recent five-year period 14 patients had pseudoaneurysms as late complications of aortic bifurcation grafts. Severe atherosclerosis had been present at the time of the aortic grafts, and subsequent progression of arterial disease appeared to be the usual cause of the pseudoaneurysms which occurred from two to 14 years later. Nineteen of the 23 pseudoaneurysms in the 14 patients were in the groin. Excision and interposition graft usually worked well. Eleven patients had early benefit. Two early failures were due to infection. The long-term results correlated with success in obtaining adequate arterial outflow. Rupture of pseudoaneurysms, concomitant thrombosis, other complications, and diagnostic errors also caused operative problems and influenced results.