THE LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF INFRAINGUINAL VEIN GRAFT SURVEILLANCE

Objectives: Vein graft surveillance is of proven benefit in improving graft patency at least in the first year after arterial bypass surgery . The aim of this study teas to look at the longer term outcome of a v ein graft surveillance programme on graft patency. Methods: One hundre d and twelve consecutive vein grafts in 106 patients were prospectivel y entered into a win graft surveillance programme. The median (range) follow up tons 34 (1-76) months. Results: There were 23 (21%) early (l ess than 1 month) failures and a further 15 grafts occluded during fol low up. The primary, primary assisted and secondary patencies at 4 yea rs were 27%, 59% and 67% respectively Thirty-eight grafts (34%) develo ped at least one stenosis at a median interval of 5 months after the o peration. Eight (21%) of these stenoses occurred more than 12 months a fter surgery and would have been missed had surveillance been curtaile d after 1 year. Conclusions: The benefits of graft surveillance extend beyond one year and surveillance should therefore continue indefinite ly.