Takayasu arteritis: angiographic findings and results of angioplasty

Takayasu arteritis is a systemic disease characterized by occlusion of the aorta and its branches. We performed coronary angiography and thoracic and abdominal aortography on 47 patients with Takayasu arteritis. Angiographic findings included arterial stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysm. The left subclavian artery was involved in 26 cases (55%), the abdominal aorta in 25 cases (53%), the right renal artery in 21 cases (45%), the right subclavian and left renal arteries in 18 cases (38%), the descending thoracic aorta in 15 cases (32%), and the left common carotid artery in 14 cases (30%). The coronary arteriograms in the 47 patients showed coronary involvement in seven (15%). Proximal or osteal lesions were present in six cases. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed successfully in eight patients for treatment of three aortic lesions, nine renal artery lesions, one subclavian artery lesion, and one coronary artery lesion. In the three cases with recurrence after 4-7 months, repeated angioplasty was successful. For appropriate management of Takayasu arteritis, we suggest thorough angiographic evaluation and proper intervention, including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in selected cases for revascularization.     

Renal artery stenosis caused by nonspecific arteritis (Takayasu disease): results of treatment with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Renovascular hypertension is common in nonspecific aortoarteritis (Takayasu disease). The utility of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty in managing this disease has been reported infrequently, and technical problems in using this treatment method have not been described. We retrospectively evaluated the results of renal angioplasty in treating 33 stenoses in 20 patients. Each patient's diagnosis was based on the criteria established by the Aortitis Syndrome Research Committee of Japan. Criteria for selection of patients for angioplasty were (1) severe hypertension uncontrolled by single-drug therapy, (2) angiographic evidence of at least 70% stenosis of the renal artery with a pressure gradient of more than 20 mm Hg, and (3) a normal sedimentation rate. The transfemoral route was used to treat all 33 stenoses. Follow-up examinations included blood pressure and medication evaluation 1 day, 1 week, and 4-6 weeks after treatment, and thereafter at 6-month intervals. Technical success was obtained in 28 lesions (85%) in 17 patients (85%). All failures occurred in the presence of coexistent abdominal aortic disease and tight, proximal stenosis of the renal artery. Technical difficulties were attributed to the tough, noncompliant nature of the stenoses, which were difficult to cross and resisted repeated, prolonged balloon inflations. These patients experienced backache and a fall in systemic blood pressure during balloon inflation. In one patient, the ipsilateral renal vein was injured during angioplasty and required surgery. Clinical success was obtained in 14 (82%) of the 17 patients in whom technical success was achieved and included cure in six patients and improvement in eight others. Follow-up 1-18 months (mean, 8 months) after treatment showed restenosis in six (21%) of 28 lesions. We conclude that renal angioplasty in nonspecific arteritis is associated with technical difficulties; however, the short-term results are good and the complication rate is acceptable.     

Angioplasty of subclavian artery stenosis proximal to the vertebral origin

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in nine patients with symptomatic proximal left subclavian artery stenoses. All cases were technically successful. One significant delayed complication occurred in a patient whose common carotid-to-subclavian artery bypass graft occluded several months after a successful subclavian artery angioplasty with a probable subsequent embolic occlusion of the internal carotid artery. The other patients were asymptomatic after follow-up evaluations of 4-23 months.     

Renal vein injury during percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty in nonspecific aortoarteritis

Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty of a right renal artery stenosis in a patient with nonspecific arteritis, (Takayasu's arteritis) was performed for the treatment of renovascular hypertension and led to ipsilateral renal vein perforation and massive retroperitoneal bleeding. The mechanism of injury and its relationship to nonspecific arteritis remains obscure. Awareness of this potentially lethal complication is essential because early diagnosis is mandatory for definitive management.     

大动脉炎颈动脉狭窄球囊扩张和内支架的治疗

目的：探讨应用球囊扩张和血管内支架治疗大支脉炎、颈动脉狭窄、材料和方法：３例大动脉炎性颈动脉狭窄的患者，狭窄段均超过８ｃｍ，１例单纯球囊扩张；２例球囊扩张后植入Ｗａｌｌｓｔｅｎｔ支架。结果：术后狭窄率均为０，达到了良好的治疗效果，单纯球囊扩张的动脉一年后动脉完全闭塞、西入血管内支架的２例，分别是在４．５个月和４个月检查，一例血管内支架的近端出现了再狭窄，另一例未出现再狭窄。结论：对于大动脉炎性长段     

Takayasu's arteritis: evaluation with three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography

Three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography was performed in 16 patients with Takayasu's arteritis. Two regions were evaluated, the arch of aorta and its intrathoracic major branches, and the abdominal aorta with proximal portions of its major visceral and renal branches. Individual arteries and aortic segments, i. e. aortic arch and abdominal aorta, were evaluated for abnormalities such as stenosis, occlusion, dilatation and aneurysm formation. The results were compared with contrast angiography. Follow-up MR angiography was performed in three patients after 9–12 months. MR angiography demonstrated steno-occlusive lesions in all the patients and aneurysms in 2. In comparison with contrast angiography, good correlation was found in 129 of the 145 arteries and aortic segments. For the 12 false-positive results, incorrect slab placement and overestimation of stenosis were implicated. Interestingly, there were three false-negative results and one occlusion was underestimated as stenosis. A new lesion developed in 1 patient and one stenosis progressed in another patient upon follow-up. Three-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography is a simple and fairly accurate method for documenting the lesions in Takayasu's arteritis and for its follow-up. Received 12 April 1995; Revision received 30 August 1995; Accepted 15 September 1995     

Endovascular Treatment of Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: Results in 14 Patients

We evaluated immediate and long-term results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stent placement to treat stenotic and occluded arteries in patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia. Fourteen patients were treated by 3 exclusive celiac artery (CA) PTAs (2 stentings), 3 cases with both Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) and CA angioplasties, and 8 exclusive SMA angioplasties (3 stentings). Eleven patients had atheromatous stenoses with one case of an early onset atheroma in an HIV patient with antiphospholipid syndrome. The other etiologies of mesenteric arterial lesions were Takayashu arteritis (2 cases) and a postradiation stenoses (1 case). Technical success was achieved in all cases. Two major complications were observed: one hematoma and one false aneurysm occurring at the brachial puncture site (14.3%). An immediate clinical success was obtained in all patients. During a follow-up of 1–83 months (mean: 29 months), 11 patients were symptom free; 3 patients had recurrent pain; in one patient with inflammatory syndrome, pain relief was obtained with medical treatment; in 2 patients abdominal pain was due to restenosis 36 and 6 months after PTA, respectively. Restenosis was treated by PTA (postirradiation stenosis), and by surgical bypass (atheromatous stenosis). Percutaneous endovascular techniques are safe and accurate. They are an alternative to surgery in patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia due to short and proximal occlusive lesions of SMA and CA.     

周围动脉疾患合并冠心病的介入治疗

目的：探讨周围动脉疾患合并冠心病的介入治疗安全性和临床效果。方法：13例患者均施行了选择性冠状动态造影及胸或腹主动脉造影。18支周围动脉疾患中采用单纯球囊扩张术（PTA）11支,支架置入术5支,溶栓术2支。结果：血管造影发现肾动脉狭窄3例（4支）,髂动脉狭窄6例（7支）,右锁骨下动脉狭窄、右锁骨下动态伴双肾动脉狭窄、左锁骨下动脉狭窄伴左骼动脉阻塞、左股动脉阻塞各1例。合并冠心病左主干伴3支病变2例,3支病变9例,2支病变和单支病变各1例。技术成功17例,其中单纯球囊扩张术11支,支架置入术5支,溶栓术1支。临床治愈－改善12例。除1例冠状动脉造影后发生急性肾功能不全外,余无心脏并发症及与操作有关的并发症发生。     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of nonatherosclerotic lesions

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was attempted on 16 nonatherosclerotic lesions in 14 patients. Dilatation was initially successful in 4/4 cases with renal artery stenosis due to fibromuscular dysplasia (three) and Takayasu arteritis (one); all patients became normotensive and remain normotensive on no antihypertensive medications, at up to 12 months follow-up. PTA was technically successful in 4/5 transplant renal artery stenosis; these four patients remain normotensive or almost normotensive on no or markedly reduced antihypertensive medications, at up to 14 months followup. Initial success was obtained in 3/3 lesions involving vascular grafts; in one, the patient became and remained asymptomatic for the remaining 5 months he lived; in another, occlusion of the dilated segment and the graft occurred 8 months after PTA; and in the third, symptoms and signs of the limb ischemia returned within 24 hr of PTA. PTA was initially successful in a patient with recurrent celiac artery stenosis after surgery for median arcuate ligament syndrome; she has remained free of symptoms for 18 months. In a patient with three radiation-induced stenoses, PTA was initially successful; this patient is asymptomatic at 20 months follow-up. The medial type of fibromuscular dysplasia dilates most easily, suggesting a concentric stretching and some shearing of the fibrous tissue, which then heals in its dilated state. Intimal fibroplasia may be eccentric, and concentric stretching during dilatation may not be possible, leading to less satisfactory results. Radiation-induced stenosis involves periarterial fibrosis and arterial wall thickening, and the results in PTA of many of these lesions may be less satisfactory than reported here. The responsiveness of graft stenoses will vary with the cause; anastomotic stenoses will probably dilate easily, for they involve either concentric intimal proliferation, or a small degree of periarterial fibrosis; graft stenoses surrounded by dense fibrous tissue may respond initially to PTA, but the long-term results will probably be poor due to recurrent graft constriction.     

Long-term results of angioplasty in 110 patients with renal artery stenosis.

Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) is generally considered of little benefit in the treatment of ostial renal artery stenosis. This report contains long-term follow-up (> 12 months in all patients; mean follow-up, 38 months) for 110 patients who underwent PTRA for treatment of ostial renal artery stenosis. There was no significant difference in patient benefit related to bilaterality or multiplicity of lesions treated or to renal function before angioplasty (P > .1). Although there was no statistically significant difference in benefit among groups of patients who received treatment, certain trends were apparent. The least benefit occurred in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes and those with symptoms or history of vascular disease in another organ system. Treatment of lesions with proportionately larger balloons did not result in greater benefit. Restenoses were redilated in 16 patients for whom initial treatment failed. Eleven of these were ostial restenoses. The ostial stenosis in one patient was redilated a second time. At the end of follow-up, primary, secondary, and tertiary clinical benefits were 48%, 57%, and 58%, respectively. This was not statistically different (P = .14) from a control group of 94 patients with nonostial stenoses who had 68% long-term benefit. The authors conclude that ostial renal artery stenosis is not a contraindication to PTRA, and balloon angioplasty can play an important role in blood pressure control in this patient population.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in nonspecific aortoarteritis (Takayasu's disease): Experience of 16 cases

Sixteen patients with aortoarteritis underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for dilatation of 19 stenotic arteries. Sites included renal arteries (9), subclavian arteries (5), innominate artery (1), abdominal aorta (2), and descending thoracic aorta (2). Angiographic success was obtained in 14 lesions (74%) and partial success in 1 stenosis. The procedure was unsuccessful in 3 renal and 1 subclavian stenoses (21%). There were three complications. Clinically, there was cure of hypertension in three patients and improvement in six patients who had hypertension. Relief of claudication or return of pulsations was observed in seven patients. There was no evidence of any recurrence in the follow-up period (2–33 months). We conclude that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is a safe and effective procedure for treating symptomatic stenotic lesions in aortoarteritis.     

Obstruction of the infrarenal portion of the abdominal aorta: results of treatment with balloon angioplasty.

Our experience in the treatment of stenoses of the infrarenal portion of the abdominal aorta with balloon angioplasty in 27 patients is reported. Clinical findings were lower limb claudication (all patients), impotence (eight patients), and blue-toe syndrome (two patients). The underlying disease was atherosclerosis in 24 patients and nonspecific aortoarteritis in three patients. Dilatation was successful in all patients. Embolic occlusions of the left common iliac artery (one patient) and left superficial femoral artery (one patient) were the only major complications. Claudication in the affected limb continued in the first patient; the second died when diagnostic angiography, performed 3 months after angioplasty, caused a severe atheroembolus. Of the other 25 patients, nine of the 10 followed up for 13-48 months and all seven followed up for 3-8 months were free of symptoms. Six of eight patients with sexual dysfunction had normal function after angioplasty. Seven patients still awaited follow-up and one was lost to follow-up. Our experience suggests that balloon angioplasty is an effective treatment of stenoses of the infrarenal portion of the abdominal aorta.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty following endarterectomy

Recurrent occlusive disease was found by noninvasive methods and confirmed arteriographically in 7 patients who had undergone endarterectomy for stenosis of one [5] or both iliac arteries [1] or the subclavian artery [1]. Three patients with iliac artery stenosis had percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) 1 to 5 years after endarterectomy. One patient with stenosis of the external iliac artery had PTA 4 years after endarterectomy, and dilatation was repeated 7 months later because of recurrence. One patient had 2 endarterectomies and 2 PTAs within 8 years for stenosis of the right common iliac artery. One patient had recanalization of the left common iliac artery 6 years after endarterectomy with low-dose streptokinase followed by PTA. Another patient underwent endarterectomy of the left subclavian artery 3 months after PTA and required further dilatation at 5 and 10 months because of recurrence. The authors conclude that endarterectomy does not preclude PTA (or vice versa) in patients with recurrent arterial occlusive disease.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the subclavian artery: Early and late results

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of 23 subclavian arteries was attempted in 22 patients. Dilatation was successful in 3 of 4 right subclavian artery stenoses and 18 of 19 left subclavian artery stenoses. The primary clinical indication was posterior fossa ischemia in 11 patients, upper limb ischemia in 14 and both symptoms in 6. In 2 patients, dilatation of an asymptomatic high-degree left subclavian artery stenosis was performed before coronary artery bypass surgery using the internal mammary artery. Eighteen patients on follow-up over 6–60 months (mean 25 months) are free of symptoms with equivalent systolic blood pressures in both arms. Three patients showed relapse of the stenosis after 8, 12, and 15 months; one was successfully treated with a second dilatation. Complications consisted of an occlusion at the left axillary artery puncture site and a distal embolus to a finger artery. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty appears safe and efficient therapy for subclavian artery stenoses with excellent short- and long-term results.     

Nonsurgical treatment of Takayasu's disease

Success of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in disorders other than atherosclerosis has been reported in recent papers. It has been stated, however, that the unique histopathology characteristic of Takayasu's arteritis may prevent a successful dilatation of the stenotic segments. In a recent case, however, PTA was successful in the treatment of bilateral renal artery stenosis secondary to Takayasu's arteritis. Although more time is needed to evaluate the long-term results of this nonsurgical treatment, it is evident that the stenotic lesions in Takayasu's disease are amenable to balloon dilatation. PTA should be attempted in such cases, and surgery should only be performed in case of failure.     

Iatrogenic arterial dissection: Treatment by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Iatrogenic arterial dissection may require intervention, depending on the severity of resulting stenosis and the degree of symptoms. We present 5 cases of iatrogenic arterial dissection: 1 with dissection of the lower abdominal aorta, common iliac artery, and external iliac artery, and 3 with external iliac artery dissections, all managed with percutaneous transfemoral transluminal angioplasty; and 1 with dissection of the superior mesenteric artery with angioplasty performed by the translumbar approach. Four of the 5 patients had no additional therapy; 1 patient eventually underwent surgery for an asymptomatic residual pseudoaneurysm seen on abdominal computed tomography. Angiographic follow-up in 2 patients demonstrated persistent improvement in stenosis, 1 at 2 weeks after angioplasty, and the other, 6 weeks following angioplasty. None of the 5 patients required further therapy for recurrence of symptoms on clinical follow-up obtained up to 1 year after angioplasty. Though the incidence of recurrent arterial stenosis following angioplasty for dissection may be greater than that incurred after intravascular stent placement or surgery, angioplasty may be effective, and has the advantage of being less expensive than both of these treatment modalities, and, more widely available and applicable than intravascular stents.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the iliac arteries: 66 experiences

Sixty-six iliac arteries in 45 patients, 25 male and 20 female, were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for atherosclerotic occlusive disease. Of 103 lesions dilated, 51 were in common iliac and 51 in external iliac arteries. While iliac artery disease was the primary lesion in 18 patients, eight of whom had total occlusion, 27 patients had additional femoropopliteal disease. An overall primary success rate of 84% in dilatation of the stenotic lesions, and 33% in recanalization of totally occluded iliac arteries was achieved. In 12 patients, a prescheduled aortic bifurcation graft was cancelled. In one patient, in addition to recanalization of the occluded common iliac artery, the stenotic distal aorta was also successfully dilated. Angioplasty was unsuccessful in 12 patients. There were only three severe complications requiring surgical assistance. To date, less than 2 years, there has been a patency rate of 100%. Transluminal angioplasty is the treatment of choice for single stenotic lesions of the iliac arteries. Lack of calcification is not an absolute guarantee of success, but a favorable factor.     

Case report: renovascular hypertension in Takayasu's disease treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Systemic hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis is a common complication of Takayasu's disease. A case of Takayasu's disease is presented, in which hypertension was relieved by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a unilateral renal artery stenosis.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of supra-aortic arteries especially the internal carotid artery

Summary We present our experience with 105 patients in whom percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed in 112 stenosed or occluded supra-aortic arteries. Symptoms of cerebrovascular and/or vertebrobasilar insufficiency were present in 104 of the 105 patients. The angioplasty was successful in 35 stenoses of the internal carotid artery, 2 stenoses of the common carotid artery, 1 stenosis of the external carotid artery, 15 stenoses of the vertebral artery, 3 stenoses of the innominate artery and 44 stenoses of the subclavian artery. There were only 4 minor-complications (2 haematomas, 1 transient ischemic attack, 1 small thrombus of the internal carotid artery which was detected by 111-indium platelet scintigraphy and treated by thrombendarterectomy before the appearance of neurological symptoms). All patients were symptom free after angioplasty. During the observations period of 3 to 109 months (average 58 months) there were only two cases with re-stenosis after subclavian angioplasty. The results of more than 700 personal and international published percutaneous transluminal angioplasties of supra-aortic arteries are presented. The results suggest that angioplasty of supra-aortic arteries is an effective method. On strict definition of the indications, the complication rate for angioplasty of the supra-aortic arteries is not likely to be higher than that for operative treatment.     

Renal artery stenosis in patients with aortic dissection: increased prevalence

The authors retrospectively analyzed the prevalence of renal artery stenosis in 63 consecutive patients with aortic dissection who underwent thoracic and abdominal aortography. Ten patients (16%) had renal artery stenosis, five with atherosclerosis and five with fibromuscular lesions. Risk factors for aortic dissection were Marfan disease in nine patients, bicuspid aortic valve in one, and hypertension in 54 (including seven patients with Marfan syndrome). If the patients with Marfan syndrome and the patient with the bicuspid aortic valve are excluded, renal artery stenosis was present in 10 of 53 patients (19%) when the cause of dissection was presumably hypertension. This finding suggests that renovascular hypertension is a greater risk factor for aortic dissection than is essential hypertension. The success of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) in controlling renovascular hypertension has been proved. In this series, emergent PTRA successfully controlled the hypertension in one patient with a type B dissection, resulting in an excellent clinical outcome. Angiography should be routinely performed on patients with aortic dissections to evaluate for renal artery stenosis.