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The increasing workload required to maintain infrainguinal bypass graft patency
I M Loftus1, A Reid, M M Thompson
1Department of Surgery, Leicester Royal Infirmary, U.K.
Summary
Maintaining infrainguinal bypass grafts requires significant interventions, impacting vascular service workload. This workload increased substantially over a six-year period, necessitating careful planning for vascular service provision.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Radiology
- Health Services Management
Background:
- Assessing the workload of maintaining infrainguinal bypass graft patency.
- Understanding the impact on vascular service provision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the interventions required for infrainguinal bypass graft patency maintenance.
- To evaluate the impact of this workload on vascular services.
Main Methods:
- Prospective computerized audit of patients with infrainguinal bypass grafts (1990-1995).
- Monitoring interventions for graft patency, excluding early postoperative procedures.
- Graft surveillance program in operation throughout the study period.
Main Results:
- 131 patients with 144 grafts underwent 401 interventional procedures over six years.
- Radiological interventions constituted nearly 70% of the total workload.
- Significant interventions were noted across femorodistal, below-knee, and above-knee femoropopliteal grafts.
Conclusions:
- The workload for infrainguinal bypass graft maintenance has significantly increased.
- This trend is projected to continue, requiring consideration in vascular service planning.
- Interventional procedures are a major component of graft maintenance workload.