Aortoiliac and Aortofemoral Bypass Graft Surgery Usage

To have good blood flow to the lower part of the body, there must be good blood flow through the aorta, the iliac arteries, and the femoral arteries. Atherosclerosis is a disease in which sticky patches (plaques) build up along the walls of blood vessels. These plaques block the normal flow of blood within affected blood vessels. When the blood flow is decreased, the tissues on the other side of the blockage do not receive enough oxygen. This can result in the following:

• Pain that increases the longer you walk or exercise (called intermittent claudication)
• Cold feet or legs
• Scaly, dry, reddened, itchy, or brown skin on the legs or feet
• Nonhealing and/or infected sores (ulcers) on your legs or feet
• Gangrene
• The need for amputation of the leg
• Nerve damage

This surgery can restore blood flow to the legs.