Postoperative predictive value of a new method of intraoperative angiographic assessment of runoff in femoropopliteal bypass grafting

Abstract

In 96 consecutive patients undergoing primary femoropopliteal bypass grafting, the runoff was evaluated with a new grading system, based on findings at intraoperative postreconstruction serial angiography. This concept, which takes foot vessel involvement into account in patients with only one patent crural artery, is a modification of the traditional method of runoff assessment. Good runoff was defined as patency of two or three lower leg arteries to the foot or one patent, vessel continuous with intact anterior or posterior foot arch. In limbs with no patent vessel or one patent vessel with deficient or occluded foot arches, the runoff was classified as poor. The cumulative primary patency rates at 12 months in groups with good and poor runoff were 81% and 37%, respectively. The predictive value of the new method was superior to that of other comparable methods (traditional method, Society for Vascular Surgery and International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery criteria, and modified Society for Vascular Surgery and International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery criteria). This improved prediction can be ascribed to the optimal angiographic technique for visualizing distal vessels, selective evaluation of foot vessel runoff with a new concept, and the criteria used to define good and poor runoff.