Fresh Arterial Grafts as Conduits for Vascular Reconstructions in Transplanted Patients

ObjectivesTo assess the outcome of arterial allografts in patients receiving organ transplantation.DesignFrom October 1997 to June 2005, we used fresh arterial allografts as vascular conduits in 21 patients for the treatment of claudications (10), abdominal aortic aneurysm (6), complicated renal transplantation (2), acute lower extremity ischemia (2) and gangrene (1). At the time of the vascular procedure, ten of the patients (Group A) had already undergone organ transplantation. The mean follow up period was 32 months for renal and 37 months for heart recipients, respectively. In 11 patients (Group B), the vascular reconstruction was undertaken simultaneously with the renal transplantation. The mean follow up period was 49 months.ResultsThere was no arterial allograft related deaths. No signs of arterial graft infection or requirement for secondary intervention (angioplasty and/or thrombolysis) were observed during the follow up period.ConclusionsOur experience suggests that it is possible to use fresh arterial allografts in the treatment of arterial occlusive disease or abdominal aortic aneurysm, both in already transplanted patients and simultaneously with organ transplantation, with good results.