Etiology and management of bovine graft aneurysms
P. J. Garvin, M. A. Castaneda and J. E. Codd
From April 1975 to September 1980, 16 symptomatic bovine graft aneurysms
were identified in 200 grafts used for long-term hemodialysis. Aneurysms
occurred in five (3.6%) straight forearm grafts, two (33%) reversed forearm
grafts, two (33%) straight thigh grafts, and seven (18.9%) upper arm
grafts. Mean blood pressures were similar in the aneurysm and non-aneurysm
groups (142/81 vs 153/83 mm Hg). At operation, the aneurysms were
determined to be true in three patients and false in 13. Five patients were
treated by graft ligation and aneurysm excision and 11 by aneurysm excision
and graft revision, with additional graft survivals of one to 25 months. In
conclusion, bovine graft aneurysms are usually false and are more frequent
in proximal grafts. In the absence of infection, resection is indicated and
will result in considerable prolongation of graft survival.
