Evaluation of Some Prognostic Indicators in Venous Grafting to Below-The-Knee Arteries

Abstract

45 femoro-popliteal and 30 femoro-tibial by-passes performed by means of autologous reversed saphenous vein were reviewed in order to evaluate the pro gnostic significance (one-year patency) of preoperative ankle pressure index and of angiographic findings. The intraoperative (pre-reconstruction) arteriography appeared as a very useful tool necessary to achieve, in most cases, definite informations about the outflow of the planned reconstruction. The direct connection with pedal arteries (in femoro-popliteal procedures) and the unrestricted outflow through a pedal arch (in femoro-tibial procedures) were, in the Authors' experience, the best indicators, fully reliable, of a fa vourable prognosis.