Efficacy and Safety of Autologous Versus Prosthetic Grafts in the Repair of Popliteal Artery Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Monica M Costa, Grace Carvajal Mulatti, Amanda Godoi et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of autologous versus prosthetic grafts in repairing popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) across 22 studies involving 8,370 patients. The results indicated that autologous grafts significantly improved long-term primary patency (HR 3.93; P < 0.001), secondary patency (HR 6.02; P < 0.001), and limb salvage (HR 2.69; P = 0.044) compared to prosthetic grafts.
Key findings
- Autologous grafts improved long-term primary patency with a hazard ratio of 3.93.
- Secondary patency was significantly better with autologous grafts (HR 6.02).
- Long-term limb salvage rates favored autologous grafts (HR 2.69).
- No significant differences were found in in-hospital amputation or mortality rates.
Why it matters
Understanding the comparative effectiveness of graft types in PAA repair is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. The findings suggest that autologous grafts may offer superior long-term results, which can inform surgical decision-making.
What to keep in mind
The risk of bias was classified as moderate-to-high, reflecting confounding factors inherent to observational studies.