axillofemoral bypass
An extra-anatomic bypass procedure routing blood from the axillary artery to the femoral artery to circumvent aortic occlusion.
Full Definition
An extra-anatomic bypass procedure that creates an alternative route for blood flow by connecting the axillary artery to the femoral artery, typically used when conventional aortic reconstruction is contraindicated. The graft is tunneled subcutaneously through the chest wall and abdomen, avoiding the need for major abdominal surgery. This procedure is often reserved for high-risk patients who cannot tolerate more invasive aortic interventions. While patency rates are generally lower than anatomic bypasses, it provides limb salvage in patients with severe comorbidities.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as an adjective; may be abbreviated as ax-fem in informal contexts.
In Context
- "The patient underwent an axillofemoral bypass due to hostile abdomen from previous surgeries." — operative report
- "Long-term patency of axillofemoral bypass grafts remains inferior to anatomic reconstruction." — clinical research paper