Long-segment (> or = 10 cm) femoropopliteal angioplasty: improved technical success and long-term patency

• Published in: Radiology Vol. 195; no. 1; p. 158
• Main Authors: Murray, J G, Apthorp, L A, Wilkins, R A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.1995
• Subjects: Aged; Angioplasty, Balloon; Arteriosclerosis - diagnosis; Arteriosclerosis - physiopathology; Arteriosclerosis - therapy; Female; Femoral Artery; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Life Tables; Male; Popliteal Artery; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Patency
• ISSN: 0033-8419; 1527-1315
• DOI: 10.1148/radiology.195.1.7892459

To assess angioplasty as a treatment for symptomatic long-segment (> or = 10 cm) femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease. Angioplasty performed on 44 lesions that measured 10-40 cm (mean, 24.3 cm) were assessed for technical success and 12-24-month patency. Disease severity was assessed with the Doppler ankle-brachial index (ABI) and clinical evaluation before angioplasty and at follow-up examinations 1 month and 12-24 months (mean, 18 months) later. Technical success was defined as a restoration of vessel lumen (< 30% residual stenosis) and a rise in ABI values of at least 0.2. Arterial patency (< 50% residual stenosis) was determined with color duplex sonography. Angioplasty was technically successful at 41 of 44 sites (93%). There was no mortality related to the procedure or emergency surgical referral. At 18-month follow-up, mean ABI values had risen from 0.53 to 0.80. Cumulative primary patency was 69%. Clinical symptoms had improved in 83% of patients. Angioplasty is useful in the treatment of long-segment femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease.