Outcomes of Endovascular Intervention and Bypass Surgery for Femoral Artery Atherosclerosis

Purpose: The main treatment modality of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) of the lower extremities has shifted from traditional bypass surgery (BS) to a less invasive endovascular intervention (EI), but there is still conflicting data about the differences in long-term patency between the two modalities The purpose of this study was to analyze restenosis rates of femoral EI and to compare both anatomical and functional results between EI and femorodistal BS. Methods: Between July 2003 and June 2009, 88 limbs (61 patients) and 47 limbs (43 patients) with femoral artery PAOD were treated with EI and BS, respectively. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed by reviewing medical records, radiologic images and noninvasive vascular studies. Patient demographics and risk factors were analyzed. Technical outcomes such as restenosis rates, patency rates and functional outcomes using modified questionnaires were evaluated. Results: The restenosis rates for EI. at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years were 10.4%, 20.1%, 41.1% and 52.7%, respectively, and the mean restenosis duration was 36.5 +/- 3.24 months. Comparison of patency rates between EI and BS showed no significant difference (P=0.204) in TASC C and D lesions. Functional outcome analysis showed that both EI and BS improved functional status after treatment, and comparison between the two groups showed that BS had a better functional improvement than EI (P=0.010). Conclusion: EI could provide equivalent patency rates compared with BS, but for TASC C and D lesions, BS is still a preferred treatment modality based on better functional outcomes. (J Korean Surg Soc 2010;79:215-222)