Meta-analysis of femoropopliteal bypass grafts for lower extremity arterial insufficiency.

BACKGROUND In femoropopliteal bypass surgery, the use of saphenous vein grafts is preferable, but synthetic grafts are widely used above the knee. The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the long-term patency of femoropopliteal bypass grafts classified as above-knee polytetrafluoroethylene, above-knee saphenous vein, or below-knee saphenous vein. METHODS Studies published from 1986 through 2004 were identified from electronic databases and reference lists; 73 articles contributed 1 or more series that used survival analysis, assessed femoropopliteal bypasses in one of the foregoing configurations, reported a 1-year graft patency rate, and included at least 30 bypasses. The series with a predominance of claudicant patients were included in meta-analysis C, and the series in which critical ischemia predominated were included in meta-analysis CI. Pooled survival curves of graft patency were constructed. RESULTS In meta-analysis C, the pooled primary graft patency was 57.4% for above-knee polytetrafluoroethylene, 77.2% for above-knee vein, and 64.8% for below-knee vein at 5 years; there was a significant difference between above-knee grafts at 3, 4, and 5 years (P < .05). The corresponding pooled secondary graft patency was 73.2%, 80.1%, and 79.7%, respectively (P > .05). In meta-analysis CI, the pooled primary graft patency was 48.3% for above-knee polytetrafluoroethylene, 69.4% for above-knee vein, and 68.9% for below-knee vein at 5 years; there was a significant difference between above-knee grafts until 4 years (P < .05). The corresponding pooled secondary graft patency was 54.0%, 71.9%, and 77.8%, respectively, with a significant difference between above-knee grafts at 2, 3, and 4 years (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS The great saphenous vein performs better than polytetrafluoroethylene in femoropopliteal bypass grafting and should be used whenever possible.