Comparison of Early and Late Post-operative Outcomes after Supra-inguinal Bypass for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

Objective

The choice for surgical revascularisation for aortoiliac occlusive disease is often tempered by patient comorbidities. This study compares peri-operative outcomes and the association between choice of operation and one year major adverse limb event (MALE) free survival and five year mortality.

Methods

The Vascular Study Group of New England (VSGNE) dataset for supra-inguinal bypass operations from 2009 to 2015 was queried. This study excluded cases with bypass other than aortofemoral (AFB), axillofemoral (AXB), and femorofemoral (FFB), and those with endovascular interventions or femoral endarterectomy. Cases combined with other procedures, indications other than occlusive disease, and missing pathology were also excluded. Patients were divided into three groups: AFB, AXB, and FFB. Thirty day post-operative death (POD) and adverse events were compared using univariable and multivariable analyses. One year MALE free survival was compared between groups with log rank test and Kaplan–Meier plot. Proportional hazard Cox regression was used for adjusted comparison of MALE free and five year survival.

Results

In total, 1,602 cases were included: 207 (12.9%) AXB; 872 (54.4%) AFB; 523 (32.6%) FFB. AXB patients were older with more comorbidities. Post-operative complications and POD rates were significantly higher for AXB (p < .05). On adjusted analyses, AXB increased the hazard of one year MALE (hazard ratio [HR] 1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–2.78; p = .014) and five year mortality (HR 1.54; 95% CI 1.11–2.41; p = .009). Both FFB and AFB had similar one year MALE free survival but significantly better one year MALE free survival than AXB.

Conclusion

After adjusting for confounding variables, and while acknowledging limitations related to the VSGNE data set, FFB led to significantly lower rates of post-operative complications than AXB. FFB may serve as the extra-anatomical operation of choice in high risk patients with extensive disease, who cannot undergo AFB, provided that anatomy permits. AFB should be performed preferentially in low risk patients with appropriate anatomy. Owing to its higher complications rates, the study suggests that AXB should be limited to patients with no other option for revascularisation.