Aortic graft infections: replacement with autogenous vein

The purpose of this review article is to summarize our published experience with the use of the superficial femoral-popliteal vein (SFPV) to replace i nfected aortic prostheses. The SFPV has proven to be resistant to infection s of all types and has shown no signs of degeneration over the long term. S ince SFPV bypass and prosthetic graft excision are performed as a single st age, operative times are extensive. Therefore, it may not be appropriate fo r the sickest patients with severe medical comorbidities. Nevertheless, the operation has been associated with gratifyingly low mortality and amputati on rates that are far better than published rates associated with graft exc ision and extra-anatomic bypass. It is particularly suited to patients with complex aortofemoral graft reconstructions who cannot undergo extra-anatom ic revascularization for technical reasons. The venous sequella of SFPV har vest are minimal. These data and those from three other centers support the conclusion that graft excision and replacement with SFPV is an excellent a lternative for treatment of aortic graft infections. (C) 2001 The Internati onal Society for Cardiovascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.