What is an Aortofemoral Bypass
Aortofemoral bypass is a surgery to change the way that blood flows through the groin or abdomen. You may have this surgery if blood vessels in your groin or abdomen are blocked, damaged, or too narrow, and blood cannot move through them well.
During the surgery, a man-made (synthetic) piece of tissue (graft) will be sewn above or below the blocked, damaged, or narrow blood vessels. After the surgery, blood will be able to travel around these blood vessels by going through the graft.
Tell a health care provider about:
- Any allergies you have.
- All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
- Any blood disorders you have.
- Any surgeries you have had.
- Any medical conditions you have.
- Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Allergic reactions to medicines or dyes.
- Damage to other structures or organs.
- Heart attack.
- Stroke.
- The graft becoming blocked or not working.
- Nerve damage.
What happens before the procedure?
Staying hydrated
Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:
- Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.
Eating and drinking restrictions
Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:
- 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
- 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
- 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
- 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.
Medicine
- Ask
your health care provider about:
- Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
- Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood.Do nottake these medicines unless your health care provider tells you to take them.
- You may be prescribed antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection. If so, take the antibiotic as told by your health care provider.
Tests and exams
See your health care provider for any scheduled tests and exams. Before your surgery, you will have a physical exam and blood tests. You may also have:
- Tests
to measure your blood flow, such as:
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI). This test compares blood pressure in your arm and ankle.
- Doppler ultrasound. This test uses sound waves to look at how your blood is flowing through blood vessels.
- Imaging
tests, such as:
- A CT scan.
- An MRI.
- X-rays.
- Tests to check your heart, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG checks the electrical patterns and rhythms of the heart.
General instructions
- Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- You may be asked to shower with a germ-killing (antiseptic) soap.
- Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
- Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
- Plan to have a responsible adult care for you for at least 24 hours after you leave the hospital or clinic. This is important.
What happens during the procedure?
- To
lower your risk of infection:
- Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
- Your skin will be washed with soap.
- Hair may be removed from the surgical area.
- An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
- You
will be given one or more of the following:
- A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
- A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
- Incisions will be made in your abdomen and groin.
- A graft made from synthetic material will be sewn above and below the narrow, blocked, or damaged part of the affected blood vessels.
- Small tubes may be placed to drain fluid from your body.
- A small, thin tube (catheter) may be placed in the part of your body that drains urine from the bladder (urethra). The tube will temporarily drain your urine after the procedure.
- The incisions will be closed with stitches (sutures).
- A bandage will be placed over the incisions.
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
- Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
- You will be given pain medicine as needed.
- You will be instructed to cough and breathe deeply to help prevent lung infection.
- Do notdrive until your health care provider approves.
- You will have to stay in the hospital after the procedure. Ask your health care provider how long you will stay.
Summary
- An aortofemoral bypass is a surgery to change the way that blood flows through the groin or abdomen.
- You will have a graft made from synthetic material sewn to your blood vessels that are narrow, blocked, or damaged.
- You will have to stay in the hospital after the surgery. Ask your health care provider how long you will stay.
Aortofemoral Bypass, Care After
This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.
What can I expect after the procedure?
After the procedure, it is common to have:
- Pain.
- Soreness in your groin and abdomen.
- Scarring.
- Some fluid or blood draining from the drainage tube.
- Swelling in your legs.
- Fatigue.
Follow these instructions at home:
Incision care
- Follow
instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your
incisions. Make sure you:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
- Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do notremove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
- To keep the area around your wounds clean, gently wash the area with soap, water, and a gauze pad or washcloth.
Check your incision areas every day for signs of infection. Check for:
- Redness, swelling, or pain.
- Fluid or blood.
- Warmth.
- Pus or a bad smell.
Medicines
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider.Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
- To
prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain
medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:
- Drink enough fluid to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
- Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
- Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
- Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods.
Activity
- Do notdrive until your health care provider approves.
- Do notdrive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
- Do notlift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg), or the limit that you are told, until your health care provider says that it is safe.
- Avoid
activity that requires a lot of energy, including exercise and sports. Ask
your health care provider:
- What activities are safe for you.
- When you may return to your normal activities.
- Take short walks every 1–2 hours during the day. This helps to prevent blood clots. Ask for assistance if needed.
Eating and drinking
- Follow instructions from your health care provider about other eating or drinking restrictions.
- Do notdrink alcohol while taking prescription pain medicine.
General instructions
- If you have drains and tubes, care for them as instructed. Do notremove your drains or tubes unless your health care provider tells you to do this.
- Wear compression garments as told by your health care provider. They may prevent blood clots and reduce swelling.
- Do breathing exercises, such as coughing and breathing deeply, as instructed by your health care provider. These can help to prevent lung infection.
- Do nottake baths, swim, shower, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
- Do notuse any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have a fever.
- You have severe pain, and medicines do not help.
- You have more fluid or blood coming from an incision than normal.
- An incision feels warm to the touch.
Get help right away if:
- You have redness, swelling, or pain around an incision.
- You have pus or a bad smell coming from an incision.
- You have chest pain.
- You have trouble breathing.
- You have numbness or tingling in your legs.
- You cannot move your legs.
Summary
- Check your incision areas every day for signs of infection.
- Take short walks every 1–2 hours during the day.
- Do breathing exercises, such as coughing and breathing deeply, as instructed by your health care provider. These can help to prevent lung infection.
