BELOW-KNEE BYPASS USING FRESH ARTERIAL ALLOGRAFTS FOR LIMB SALVAGE - EARLY RESULTS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate early results of below-knee bypass using fresh arterial allografts as arterial substitutes for lim b salvage. From April 1991 to September 1993, we performed 28 below-kn ee bypass procedures using fresh arterial allografts in patients witho ut a suitable autologous vein. Allografts were obtained by multiorgan harvesting from brain-dead subjects and preserved at 4 degrees C. Hist ologic examination of grafts was carried out. Secondary patency at 2 y ears calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method was 64% (confidence inte rval [CI] 45%-79%). No signs of graft deterioration or rejection were noted. These preliminary results are encouraging but long-term assessm ent is needed before expanding the range of application.