Duplex ultrasound surveillance of infrainguinal bypass grafts: auditing the process.

摘要: The effectiveness of an infrainguinal bypass graft surveillance programme using duplex scanning was assessed over a 2-year period. Of 220 grafts (123 vein and 97 PTFE grafts; 114 to the above knee level, 94 below 12 distal popliteal artery) in 203 patients, 208 (94.5%) were available for follow-up surveillance. protocol called scans at 6 weeks, 3, 6, 9 months. Fifty-seven (27%) found have V1/V2 ratio equal or greater than 1.5 this group 25 occluded. median time between primary operation positive finding 4 Thirty-nine failed during (at analysis months [range 2-83 months]). There 18 interventions resulting from surveillance-detected stenoses. further investigation 2 Further, there significant differences site abnormal findings ePTFE grafts. value may be reduced if are low rates intervention and/or excessive delays following demonstration graft-related Surveillance programmes subsequent need audited.