Early results with cryopreserved saphenous vein allografts for infrainguinal bypass

Purpose: Cryopreserved saphenous vein allografts (CSVA) are available for use in arterial reconstructions; however, patency rates in the infrainguinal position are not well described. Methods: We reviewed our experience with 38 patients who underwent 43 infrainguinal bypasses with CSVA as the conduit. The group includes 21 women and 17 men with a mean age of 69 ± 11 years. Mean follow-up is 8.2 ± 5.5 months. Logistic regression was used to analyze five variables in an attempt to identify predictors of success or failure: distal anastomosis to the popliteal artery versus a crural artery, one-vessel versus two- or three-vessel runoff, postoperative anticoagulation versus none, primary reconstructions versus reoperations, and one segment versus two segments of CSVA required. Results: The cumulative patency rate at 12 months by life-table analysis is 66%. Logistic regression revealed that primary reconstructions were more likely to succeed than reoperations (p = 0.03) and operations completed with one segment of CSVA were more likely to succeed than those requiring more than one segment of vein (p = 0.03). Conclusions: We conclude that (1) the short-term patency of infrainguinal bypasses with CSVA suggests that they may be acceptable alternatives to prosthetic grafts in the below-knee position, and (2) primary reconstructions performed with one segment of CSVA are more likely to succeed.