Institutional Results and Meta-Analysis of Outcome after Infrainguinal Surgical Revascularization in Patients Greater than 80 Years Old

Our aim was to evaluate the outcome after infrainguinal bypass revascularization in patients greater than 80 years old with lower limb ischemia treated at our institution and to perform a metaanalysis of literature data to better estimate current postoperative results. Eighty-four infrainguinal bypass procedures were performed in 76 patients of at least 80 years of age. Major outcome end points included survival, limb salvage, and amputation-free survival. Systematic review and meta-analysis of literature data on immediate and late outcome in patients older than 80 years who underwent infrainguinal surgical revascularization have been performed. At 30 days, seven patients (8.3%) died and seven major amputations (8.3%) occurred. Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival at 1, 3, and 5 -years were 73.8, 59.8, and 43.1 per cent; leg salvage 78.9, 71.4, and 67.8 per cent; and amputation-free survival 58.3, 42.7, and 28.2 per cent, respectively. The mean survival was 4.6 ± 0.4 years. Only Finnvasc score greater than 2 was predictive of poor late amputation-free survival (at 5 years: 4.5 vs 42.3%; relative risk, 2.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.27 to 3.76). Eleven studies were additionally available for analysis. Pooled estimates of survival at 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years were 94.8, 86.0, and 47.6 per cent, respectively, and of leg salvage were 95.5, 84.7, and 84.1 per cent, respectively. Infrainguinal bypass in patients older than 80 years carries a significant operative risk and is associated with suboptimal long-term amputation-free survival, which is particularly poor among patients with a Finnvasc score greater than 2.