Deep vein thrombosis after femoropopliteal bypass grafting with observations on the incidence of complications following the use of dextran 70.

Radiological thrombosis was demonstrated on six occasions in the leg veins in 66 patients following the placement of 71 femoropopliteal bypass grafts. All patients received dextran 70 as prophylaxis postoperatively. The incidence was similar for grafts with the lower anastomosis either above or below the knee joint. No predisposing factors to venous thrombosis were apparent other than blood dyscrasias. A further group of patients who had arterial reconstructive procedures were examined to determine the incidence of the complications of bleeding and heart failure which might be attributed to the routine use of dextran 70. The incidence of complications in this larger group indicates that the routine use of dextran 70 is not a significant factor in their occurrence in the postoperative period.