Significance of Venous Graft Diameter and Length for Peripheral By-pass Patency

http://www.journal-imab-bg.org / J of IMAB. 2013, vol. 19, issue 1 / ABSTRACT: Objective: To analyze the one-year-patency of infrainguinal arterial reconstructions in relation to venous graft diameter and length . Material and Methods: 56 patent and failed infrainguinal autovenous by-pass reconstructions were followed up for no less than a year. The diameter of the vein was measured at the site of distal anastomosis, and the length after the completion of reconstruction. Results: Results are worse in venous grafts with diameter less than 3.5 mm and length over 40 cm, but the difference between failed and patent by-passes with diameter over 3.5 mm and bigger length is also significant. Shorter and with diameter over 3.5 mm by-passes have the higher percentage patency. Conclusion: Shorter grafts with diameter above 3.5 mm do not guarantee longer patency if distal anastomosis is constructed above diseased run-off segment.