Complications after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the iliac, femoral, and popliteal arteries

During a 5-year period percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was attempted in 134 iliac, femoral, and popliteal arteries in 127 patients. Complications were systematically registered and classified as major, minor, and radiologic. Seventeen major complications (12.7%), including three deaths, occurred, as well as five minor (3.7%) and 13 radiologic complications (9.7%). The last group showed no clinical symptoms. The frequency of complications in our series is high compared with that found in a survey of 13 studies with 2043 patients. The most marked discrepancy was our high frequency of septic symptoms. A mortality rate of 2.2% was also higher in our series, but we have consequently registered the 30-day mortality rate to make comparisons with surgical series relevant. Radiologic alterations are usually not reported in other series probably because they are regarded as a part of the method, but we consider these alterations as potentially dangerous and important to report because they can result in clinically relevant complications. Because of the complications PTA should only be performed in centers in which complications can be optimally treated.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and primary stenting of the iliac arteries in 288 patients

Purpose: This study reports the initial and late results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and intravascular stenting for atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the iliac arteries.Methods: The preprocedural and postprocedural clinical records, arteriograms, segmental limb pressure measurements (ankle-brachial [ABI] and thigh-brachial [TBI] indexes), and pulse volume recordings of 288 patients who underwent PTA and primary stenting of the common iliac (354, 69.4%) and external iliac (156, 30.6%) arteries were reviewed. Initial and late clinical, hemodynamic, and angiographic success were assessed by objective criteria. Data on patients who underwent unsuccessful attempts at iliac stent placement are unavailable; results are not reported on an intent-to-treat basis.Results: Clinical follow-up data (mean, 11.9 months) are available for 268 of 288 patients (93.1%) and for 394 of 424 limbs (92.9%). The initial success rates, as determined by TBI, ABI, and clinical limb status, were 90.2%, 87.8%, and 74.6%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of angiographic patency (101 arteries) were 96%, 81%, and 73% at 6, 12, and 24 months. Cumulative patency rates were 84%, 76%, and 57% on the basis of TBI, ABI, and clinical limb status at 24 months. Factors associated with initial success included the need for multiple stents (p = 0.0001), a higher degree of initial stenosis (p = 0.0001), lower severity of baseline ischemia (p = 0.007), younger age (p = 0.0015), and the preprocedural patency of the ipsilateral superficial femoral artery (p = 0.002). A higher degree of initial stenosis (p < 0.001) and superficial femoral artery patency (p = 0.004) were also associated with late success.Conclusions: PTA and stenting of the iliac arteries is associated with reasonable angiographic, hemodynamic, and clinical success. The outcome is favorably affected by higher initial severity of stenosis and greater extent of disease, lower severity of baseline ischemia, younger age, and by patency of the ipsilateral superficial femoral artery. (J Vasc Surg 1997;25:829-39.)     

A comparative study of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the iliac and femoropopliteal arteries in arterial disease of the lower extremities

The authors compared the anatomo-radiologic data from a series of 100 consecutive percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTA), as well as the immediate and long-term results as a function of the level of the lesion--iliac or femoropopliteal. Proximal to the thigh, there were 57 PTAs, 36 of the common iliac and 21 of the external iliac. In the lower thigh, there were 43 PTAs, 9 of the upper part of the popliteal artery and 34 of the external femoral artery. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the common iliac lesion was dominant in patients under 60 years of age (p less than 0.05). At the iliac level, 89% of the patients had severe claudication; at the femoropopliteal level, 39% had trophic problems. The "dominant" or "accessory" character of the lesion did not modify the indication for the procedure, regardless of the level. Segmental thrombosis accounted for 44.2% of the femoropopliteal PTA indications, compared with 7% at the iliac level (p less than 0.04). The failure rate was less at the iliac than at the femoropopliteal level. Follow-up was available for 86.6% of the patients for an average of 22 months. The systolic indices at the thigh after iliac PTA and at the ankle after femoropopliteal PTA were significantly increased (p less than 0.01). At the femoropopliteal level, 74% of the patients were totally asymptomatic. There was one failure (3.8%); amputation at thigh level was carried out 12 months after the PTA. At the iliac level, improvement was observed in 91% of the patients and 70% became asymptomatic. The overall success rate (clinical patency and improvement) was 92% +/- 0.09%, based on the life-table method.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of iliac and femoral arteries in severe lower-limb ischaemia

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed 92 times in 86 patients with severe lower-limb ischaemia (40% occlusion), giving rise to rest pain and/or gangrene. The patients were thereafter observed for periods up to 5 years. Criteria for success were appearance of normal groin pulse (iliac angioplasty) or persistent greater than or equal to 0.15 rise in arm/ankle blood pressure index (femoropopliteal angioplasty). The respective technical success rates were 82% and 64%. The complication rate was 10.9%, including 5.4% distal embolization. Patency rates were higher in iliac than in femoropopliteal lesions, in stenotic than occluded vessels, and also when the lesion was shorter than 5 cm and if there was good run-off. Limb salvage exceeded patency by 10% in the iliac procedures and by 15% in the femoropopliteal. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is recommended for selected cases of severe lower-limb ischaemia, and should always be considered for limb salvage. Reocclusion does not necessarily imply clinical failure. Technical failures should be included in calculated patency rates in order to document the method's limitations.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement for recurrent carotid artery stenosis

OBJECT: Treatment consisting of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stent placement has recently been proposed as an alternative to surgical reexploration in patients with recurrent carotid artery stenosis following endarterectomy. The authors retrospectively reviewed their experience after performing 25 procedures in 21 patients to assess the safety and efficacy of PTA with or without stent placement for carotid artery restenosis. METHODS: The mean interval between endarterectomy and the endovascular procedures was 57 months (range 8-220 months). Seven arteries in five patients were treated by PTA alone (including bilateral procedures in one patient and repeated angioplasty in the same vessel in another). Early suboptimum results and recurrent stenosis in some of these initial cases prompted the authors to combine PTA with stent placement in the treatment of 18 arteries over the past 3 years. No major periprocedural deficits (neurological or cardiac complications) or death occurred. There was one periprocedural transient neurological event, and in one patient a pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery (at the access site) required surgical repair. In the 16 patients who each underwent at least 6 months of follow-up review, no neurological events ipsilateral to the treated artery had occurred after a mean follow-up period of 27 months (range 6-57 months). Three of five patients who underwent PTA alone developed significant (>50%) asymptomatic restenoses that required repeated angioplasty in one and PTA with stent placement in two patients. Significant restenosis (55%) was observed in only one of the vessels treated by combined angioplasty and stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular PTA and stenting of recurrent carotid artery stenosis is both technically feasible and safe and has a satisfactory midterm patency. This procedure can be considered a viable alternative to surgical reexploration in patients with recurrent carotid artery stenosis.     

Impotence due to the external iliac steal syndrome treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

We report a case of secondary erectile impotence proved angiographically to be caused by an external iliac artery stenosis associated with a steal phenomenon in the pelvic region. The patient was treated successfully by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which can be an attractive alternative to an operation in selected patients.     

锁骨下动脉闭塞的血管腔内治疗

目的：探讨经皮血管内成形术(PTA)和血管内支架置放术治疗锁骨下动脉起始段闭塞的疗效。方法：应用经皮血管内成形术(PTA)和血管内支架安置术治疗5例锁骨下动脉起始段闭塞的病人。结果：5例手术均获成功。术后患肢动脉搏动恢复正常，多普勒测压双上肢血压压差由术前平均54mmHg降至术后9．6mmHg．术后随访1～3月；彩超提示支架无脱落及移位，病变部位血流通畅，椎动脉恢复为正常人颅血流。结论：PTA和血管内支架安置术是治疗锁骨下动脉起始段闭塞的一种微创、安全可行和疗效满意的方法。     

Laser angioplasty of the iliac arteries

Laser-assisted balloon angioplasty has the potential to reduce mortality and morbidity by replacing aorto-femoral bypass operations in patients with occlusion of the iliac arteries. We present our early experience with 16 patients undergoing this procedure, using a Cardiolase neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in the operating room. Initial recanalization was achieved in 14 of the 16 patients. Early re-occlusion occurred in 4 patients, one of whom had a successful repeat laser angioplasty. This patient, together with the remaining 10 patients with successful initial recanalization remain patent at a mean follow-up period of 10 months. There were no deaths or chest complications. Angiographically demonstrated arterial perforation occurred in 2 patients, neither of whom required operation on the perforated segment. We conclude that recanalization of the iliac arteries is possible and safe. The procedure is unlikely to replace aorto-femoral bypass until the proportion of early failures is reduced. This may require larger probes or the immediate placement of intra-arterial stents following laser angioplasty.     

Clinical failure after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries

OBJECTIVE: Anatomic patency after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries does not guarantee clinical success. The aim of this report is to determine the causes of clinical failure after PTA. METHODS: The records of all patients who have undergone PTA of the femoropopliteal arterial segment by our vascular group were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients with complete records and at least one postprocedure clinical and anatomic assessment within the same 30-day time interval were included. Success was defined according to the Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Reporting Standards for Endovascular Procedures. Anatomic cumulative patency and clinical success were calculated according to life table analysis on an intent-to-treat basis. RESULTS: We identified 85 patients who met inclusion criteria. We treated 112 lesions with an average stenosis of 80% +/- 16% and lesion length of 2.3 +/- 1.8 cm. Technical failure occurred in six (5.4%) of 112 lesions. Cumulative clinical success was 69% at 1 year, 54% at 2 years, 49% at 3 years, and 40% at 4 years. Anatomic patency was 74% at 1 year, 62% at 2 years, 57% at 3 years, and 52% at 4 years. There were 45 clinical failures; of these, twenty-seven (60%) occurred in conjunction with anatomic failure. Anatomic failure was due to restenosis in 12 patients (44%), occlusion in eight patients (30%), and restenosis with progression of disease in six patients (22%). Anatomic failure at the time of the procedure occurred in one patient (4%). Clinical failure occurred despite anatomic patency in the remaining 18 patients (40%). Etiology for clinical failure in this latter group included progression of disease within the treated vessel in 12 patients (67%), iliac disease in three patients (17%), tibial disease in two patients (11%), and bypass graft failure in one patient (5%). Fifty percent of all 45 clinical failures were successfully treated with supplemental percutaneous procedures. CONCLUSION: A PTA is an acceptable therapeutic option for the treatment of focal occlusive disease of the femoropopliteal arterial segment. Most clinical failures were due to anatomic failure, but a significant number occurred despite patency at the PTA site. Although primary clinical success rates were inferior to surgical bypass graft, supplemental PTA was possible in 50% of patients. Repeat percutaneous treatment may extend the interval of clinical success and may obviate the need for surgical bypass graft.     

Central venous occlusion in hemodialysis access: Comparison between percutaneous transluminal angioplasty alone and nitinol or stainless-steel stent placement

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the primary and secondary patency rates of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) alone with those of metallic stent placement in patients with hemodialysis access and central venous occlusion (CVO) and to compare the respective effects of nitinol and stainless-steel stents on patency.Materıals and methodsA total of 150 consecutive patients with hemodialysis access who underwent endovascular treatment for symptomatic CVO with ipsilateral functioning hemodialysis access were evaluated. There were 67 men and 83 women with a mean age of 56.2 ± 15.2 (SD) years (range: 15–86 years). The primary endovascular treatment of CVO was PTA alone. Stent placement either with nitinol or stainless-steel stents was performed as a bailout procedure. The results were analyzed on a per patient basis.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 141/150 patients (94%). Of the 141 patients, 109 (77%) underwent PTA alone and 32 (23%) underwent stent placement. The mean number of interventions in the stent group [4.3 ± 2.5 (SD)] was significantly higher than that in the PTA alone group [2.6 ± 2.8 (SD)] (P = 0.002). The primary patency rates at 12, 24, and 60 months for the stent group (58.7%, 41.9%, and 27.9%, respectively) were significantly higher than those in the PTA alone group (42.4%, 36.3%, and 20.2%, respectively) (P = 0.036). Secondary patency rates at 12, 24, and 60 months for the stent group (87.6%, 80.7%, and 50.3%, respectively) were significantly greater than those in the PTA alone group (68.4%, 56%, and 38.6%, respectively) (P = 0.046). Furthermore, the primary patency rates at 6 and 12 months in the nitinol stent group (89% and 80.9%, respectively) were significantly greater than those in the stainless-steel stent group (78.8% and 38.4%, respectively) (P = 0.007). The secondary patency rates at 6, 12 and 24 months for the nitinol stent group (92.8%, 87.7% and 65.8%, respectively) were significantly greater than those in the stainless-steel stent group (85.7%, 76.2% and 65.3%, respectively) (P = 0.011).ConclusıonAlthough PTA alone is an effective interventional treatment strategy of CVO in short term, stent placement yields greater primary and secondary patency rates in the long-term. But the mean number of interventions per vein after stenting is significantly higher. Close follow-up and multiple re-interventions are necessary to ensure long-term patency.     

Modulation of platelet aggregation after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the iliac artery for atherosclerosis obliterans

BACKGROUND: Platelet aggregation is modulated by blood flow. We investigated whether platelet function is altered during percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty in patients with atherosclerosis obliterans. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from the iliac artery in 9 lower limbs of 7 patients undergoing percutaneous balloon angioplasty of the iliac artery. An agonists-induced platelet aggregation test was performed with an aggregometer. Femoral blood flow was measured with a Doppler velocimeter before and after the procedure. RESULTS: Before dilatation, the maximum platelet aggregation rates (+/- SEM) induced by adenosine phosphate, epinephrine, and arachidonic acid were 54.7% +/- 5.8%, 64.8% +/- 4.3%, and 60.5% +/- 6.1%, respectively. After angioplasty, these values reduced to 36.7% +/- 4.1%, 36.1% +/- 8.6%, and 40.1% +/- 5.0%, respectively (P < .05). The pre-procedural ankle-brachial pressure index, mean flow rate, mean velocity, and shear stress variation were 0.63 +/- 0.1, 218.1 +/- 32.1 mL/min, 9.4 +/- 1.1 cm/sec, and 60.6 +/- 17.7 dyne/cm2, respectively. The mean velocity at the stenotic lesion was 215.1 +/- 83.9 cm/sec, which was significantly greater than those of the distal artery or after angioplasty (P < .01). Both ankle-brachial pressure index and shear stress variation increased after angioplasty to 0.99 +/- 0.07 (P < .05) and 139.8 +/- 17.0 (P < .05) dyne/cm2, but the mean flow rate and the mean velocity (198.3 +/- 24.5 mL/min and 8.8 +/- 1.2 cm/sec after angioplasty) did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that activated platelet function at a stenosed artery was decreased after angioplasty, possibly because of normalized blood flow with reduction of stenotic lesion.     

微创治疗锁骨下动脉窃血综合征

目的 探讨经皮血管内成形术(PTA)及内支架置放术治疗锁骨下动脉窃血综合征(SSS)的疗效。方法 应用PTA及内支架置放术治疗因锁骨下动脉狭窄致SSS患者78例,单纯行PTA22例,行PTA加支架置放术56例。结果 78例患者手术全部获得成功。随访66例,随访时间1～71个月,平均27个月,随访率84．6％。随访病例经彩超及多普勒血流图检查,均未发生病变部位再狭窄,血流通畅良好,椎动脉均为正常血流,放置支架无脱落及移位。结论 PTA及内支架置放术治疗因锁骨下动脉起始段狭窄引起的SSS是一种创伤小、疗效满意、安全可行的微创治疗方法。     

微创治疗锁骨下动脉窃血综合征的探讨

目的:探讨经皮腔内血管成形术(PTA)及内支架置放术治疗锁骨下动脉窃血综合征(SSS)的疗效。方法:应用PTA及内支架置放术治疗锁骨下动脉狭窄所致SSS病人78例,其中单纯行PTA者22例,PTA加支架置放术56例。结果:78例病人全部获得成功。随访66例,随访时间1～71个月(平均27个月),随访率84.6%。随访病例经彩超及多普勒血流图检查,均未发生病变部位再狭窄,血流通畅良好,椎动脉均呈正常血流,放置支架无脱落及移位。结论:PTA及内支架置放术治疗锁骨下动脉起始段狭窄所引起的SSS是一种创伤小、疗效满意、安全可行的微创治疗方法,但操作应耐心、仔细和规范化。     

Arterial rupture without balloon rupture during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

A 58-year-old man with severe left lower extremity claudication and rest pain underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. A high-pressure balloon was inflated in an area of severe atherosclerotic narrowing. The patient complained of severe pain during inflation and had a vasovagal response. After balloon deflation, angiography displayed extravasation just inferior to the lower edge of the balloon. Immediate inflation of the balloon tamponaded the leak and allowed the patient's transfer to the operating room in stable condition. It is hypothesized that the new high-pressure balloons can overcome resistance in nondistensible arterial walls, causing rupture without balloon rupture.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty alone versus stent placement for the treatment of transplant renal artery stenosis

PurposeThe purposes of this retrospective study were to assess the efficacy of endovascular techniques for the treatment of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) by analyzing technical and clinical success and to compare the results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) alone to those of stenting.Materials and methodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients who underwent endovascular treatment for TRAS between January 2012 and December 2017. There were 23 men and 8 women with a mean age of 60.5 ± 14 (SD) years (range: 24–81 years). Ten patients (10/31; 32%; 8 men, 2 women; median age, 63 years) were treated with PTA alone and 21/31 (68%; 15 men, 6 women; median age, 65 years) with metallic stent placement. Several variables including serum creatinine level, glomerular filtration rate, arterial blood pressure value, antihypertensive medication obtained before and after treatment were compared. Technical success was assessed for each procedure. Clinical success was defined as a 15% drop in serum creatinine level, a decrease greater than 15% in mean blood pressure values or a decrease greater than 10% in mean blood pressure values with a reduction in the number of antihypertensive drugs needed for hypertension control.ResultsTechnical success was obtained in all patients [31/31; 100%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 89–100%] and clinical success in 27/31 patients (87%; 95%CI: 71–95%). Four patients (4/31; 13%; 95%CI: 5–29%) underwent repeat endovascular intervention. Mean serum creatinine level and mean arterial blood pressure values were significantly lower after treatment (177.4 and 93.8 μmol/l, respectively) compared to before treatment (319.4 and 106.7 μmol/l, respectively) in the stent group but not in the group treated with PTA alone (P = 0.0012 and P = 0.002, respectively).ConclusionThe endovascular approach is safe and effective in the management of TRAS and stenting, depending on the morphology of the stenosis, should be the treatment of choice when possible.