Distal Runoff and the Development of Degenerative Changes in Autologous Reversed Saphenous Vein Femoropopliteal Bypass

Material: A total of 10 patients randomly selected from those who had reversed saphenous vein femoropopliteal bypass at our Institution and who had a postoperative angiogram were included into the study. Methods: The occurrence of degenerative changes at the control angiography was correlated to the quality of the distal runoff as seen at the preoperative angiography and to the level of the index of distal resistances, calculated as the difference between the upper calf pressure and that at the ankle, divided by the arm pressure. Results: Three patients had degenerative changes which were more common in case of poor distal runoff and high index of distal resistances. Conclusions: Degenerative changes in reversed saphenous vein grafts are more common in case of poor distal runoff and high distal resistance. These factors should be added to the many risk factors that have been analyzed previously.