ANATOMIC AND HEMODYNAMIC EVALUATION OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANS-LUMINAL ANGIOPLASTY

Abstract

Of 34 ballon angioplasties of the lower extremity performed during a 2 yr period, 29 were observed for 3-21 mo. Hemodynamic measurements were performed preangioplasty, immediately postangioplasty and at 3 mo. intervals thereafter. Immediately, postangioplasty arteriograms were performed upon all patients. Late follow-up arteriograms were obtained for selected patients. Immediate anatomic success was achieved in 93% of procedures, but early hemodynamic improvement occurred in only 62% of the angioplasty procedures. At a mean follow-up time of 9 mo., continued success was noted in only 48% of the procedures. Late failure with iliac artery procedures was demonstrated in only 18% of the patients, while, in femoropopliteal angioplasty, late failure occurred in 50% of the procedures. Femoropopliteal balloon angioplasty apparently is not a durable procedure. The durability of iliac artery angioplasty requires further evaluation.