Six-month follow-up after thermal balloon angioplasty in canine iliac arteries

We performed thermal balloon angioplasty in 10 iliac arteries in 5 mongrel dogs. By perfusing a modified angioplasty balloon with hot (100°C) saline, a mean balloon temperature of 84°C was obtained. Angiographic and histologic follow-up at 6 months revealed no thrombosis or aneurysm formation but it did reveal fibrotic transformation of the media. Initial overdilatation was maintained in 9 of 10 arteries. We conclude that medial sclerosis induced by thermal balloon angioplasty does not result in aneurysm or thrombosis in dogs.     

Atherosclerotic rabbit iliac arteries: comparison of balloon angioplasty and laser-assisted balloon angioplasty.

The effects of balloon angioplasty (BA) and laser-assisted balloon angioplasty (LABA) on arteries were compared. Atherosclerosis was induced in the iliac arteries of New Zealand White rabbits by means of balloon denudation and a diet supplemented with 1% cholesterol and 3% peanut oil. Six weeks later, one iliac artery was dilated with a 2.5- or 3.0-mm-diameter balloon. The contralateral iliac artery was treated with a 1.5-mm-diameter laser probe heated with 6 W of argon laser energy, and then BA was performed. Four weeks later, the mean luminal diameter of the LABA-treated arteries was smaller than that of the BA-treated arteries (BA, 1.57 mm +/- 0.15; LABA, 0.82 mm +/- 0.19; P less than .01). This restenosis was due to greater intimal fibrocellular proliferation (intimal area: BA, 0.83 mm2 +/- 0.16; LABA, 1.41 mm2 +/- 0.26; P less than .05). The LABA-treated arteries produced less potassium chloride-induced maximal force (P less than .01) and had smaller incremental elastic moduli (P less than .05) than did the BA-treated arteries. LABA is not the treatment of choice for small-caliber arteries, in which thermal injury to the arterial wall would be significant.     

Total occlusion of iliac arteries: Results of balloon angioplasty

Fifty-six occluded iliac arteries (mean length 6.1 cm; range 1–17 cm) in 50 patients were treated by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) or laser-assisted PTA (bilateral lesions in 6 patients). Twenty-seven patients (54%) were at high risk for surgery. Patients were followed for a maximum period of 72 months (mean 23.12 months; median 20 months). The initial success rate was 78.5% for arteries and 82% for patients. Laser-assisted PTA was attempted in 11 occluded arteries (19.64%) and was successful in 4 arteries (7.14%). Conventional PTA was successful in 71.4% of arteries including all 7 arteries for which laser-assisted PTA failed (76% of patients). PTA was unsuccessful in 12 arteries (21.43%). Urokinase was used before PTA in I artery. The effect of PTA was evident clinically by relief of rest pain (66.66%), healing of ulcer (57%), increased claudication distance or no claudication (79%) in limbs, and objectively, by improvement in ankle/arm index (AAI) (an increase of 0.16 to 0.91) and increased exercise tolerance. Continuous improvement in AAI was observed after PTA on follow-up in 9 limbs. One patient died during follow-up. On follow-up, 3 arteries were occluded, 6 showed evidence of stenosis, and 1 showed fusiform dilatation at the PTA site. The long-term results using the life-table method determined a 76% primary patency rate and 81% secondary patency rate for 72 months. The overall patency including failures was 63%. Age of the patients (p=0.0169) and hypertension (p=0.0015) significantly affected the long-term patency of the artery but not the initial success. The major complications were arterial rupture in a repeat procedure in 1 artery, axillary artery thrombosis in 1, and distal thromboembolic occlusion during PTA in 4, The long-term patency rates suggest that PTA of totally occluded iliac arteries is a safe and effective procedure and provides a long-term benefit. This paper was presented in part at the 6th Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology, New Delhi, India, December 14–18, 1991     

Long-term outcome of patients with claudication after balloon angioplasty of the femoropopliteal arteries

PURPOSE: To report the long-term outcome of patients with lifestyle-limiting claudication after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the femoropopliteal arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 1992, 173 consecutive claudicant patients (mean age, 65 years; age range, 41-90 years) underwent PTA in 218 limbs; all interventions included femoral and/or popliteal arterial segments, and additional iliac (n = 27) and infrapopliteal (n = 11) arterial lesions were also treated. Patients were followed up for 7-10 years. Altogether, 37 (17%) limbs were classified as Fontaine class 2A, and 181 (83%) were class 2B. Average length of the primary lesion was 5.2 cm. Reinterventions were analyzed. Patency rates and patient survival were assessed by means of life table analysis. Cox-Mantel tests and Cox proportional hazards models were used to define associated independent determinants. Development of chronic critical ischemia (CCI) and its determinants was assessed by using the Pearson chi(2) test and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The primary and secondary patencies (+/- standard error of the estimate), respectively, were 46% +/- 3 and 63% +/- 3 at 1 year, 25% +/- 3 and 41% +/- 4 at 5 years, and 14% +/- 3 and 22% +/- 4 at 10 years. One-third (71 of 218) of the limbs required repeat interventions, including surgical revascularization in 35 limbs. Fourteen (6.4%) limbs developed CCI, resulting in a 0.8% incidence per year. In multivariate analysis, poor postinterventional peripheral runoff was an indicator of increased risk of CCI development (P =.03). CONCLUSION: Although the long-term patency rates of PTA of the femoropopliteal arteries in claudicant patients were poor, the acceptable number of reinterventions and the low frequency of development of CCI imply the long-term benefits achievable with this treatment.     

Transluminal angioplasty of the iliac, femoral, and popliteal arteries.

The recently developed Grüntzig balloon dilatation catheter has facilitated the performance of transluminal angioplasty. The authors used this catheter in 35 arteries supplying the lower extremities in 27 patients. Immediate relief of symptoms (claudication and rest pain) occurred in 30 vessels (86%) in 23 patients. The procedure was well tolerated by all patients. Over 90% of initially successful dilatations were patent at 3 to 10 months.     

Deposition of platelets and neutrophils in porcine iliac arteries after angioplasty and wallstent placement compared with angioplasty alone

Purpose This study was designed to compare deposition of¹¹¹In-labeled platelets and neutrophils after balloon angioplasty (PTA) alone and PTA plus Wallstents.Methods Histological investigation was performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fifty percent stenoses of both iliac arteries was created by resorbable ligature in 13 pigs. After 30 days, PTA was performed bilaterally with an additional stenting procedure done on one side. Autologous platelets were labeled and reinfused before the interventional procedure in six pigs, and labeled neutrophils were used in seven pigs. The deposition of the labeled cells was recorded itin vivo over 270 min using a scintillation camera. The results were correlated within vitro measurements.Results Scanning revealed significant increase in platelet and neutrophil deposition at the site of the stent compared with the site where PTA alone was undertaken.In vitro measurements confirmed these differences. SEM demonstrated a fibrin lining on the stent surface and numerous adherent platelets. The adjacent arterial lumen was almost completely covered by fibrinous material. The PTA-alone site demonstrated denudation of endothelial cells and less fibrinous material, as well as platelets and leukocytes.Conclusion The complex interaction in the response of the vessel wall and flowing blood involves both platelet and neutrophil adhesion. The self-expandable vascular endoprosthesis contributes to increased deposition of platelets and neutrophils as seen in this experimental model of nonatheromatous stenosis.     

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.     

Cyclist's iliac syndrome: temporary relief by balloon angioplasty

External iliac stenosis due to endofibrosis is a rare condition that predominantly affects top level cyclists. Short term symptomatic relief is reported in an Olympian after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which was performed to allow the patient to return to training without delay.     

Comparative trial of local pharmacotherapy with L-arginine, r-hirudin, and molsidomine to reduce restenosis after balloon angioplasty of stenotic rabbit iliac arteries

PURPOSE: To determine if local application of L-arginine, r-hirudin, or molsidomine significantly reduces restenosis after balloon angioplasty in stenotic rabbit iliac arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one male cholesterol-fed New Zealand white rabbits underwent balloon dilation of both common iliac arteries to induce arterial stenosis. Four weeks later, one stenotic iliac artery was simultaneously dilated and received local application of L-arginine (210 mg/mL, n = 7), r-hirudin (0.5 mg/mL, n = 8), or molsidomine (0.2 mg/mL, n = 8) with a channeled balloon catheter. On the contralateral side, 0.9% saline was injected as a control. In eight sham animals, saline was applied to one iliac artery and balloon dilation to only the contralateral artery. Six weeks after local treatment, vessels were harvested, and computerized morphometric and immunohistologic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Application of drugs resulted in a significant reduction of neointimal area as follows: 53% with L-arginine (1.01 mm(2) vs. 2.17 mm(2), P <.05), 43% with molsidomine (1.04 mm(2) vs. 1.89 mm(2), P <.05), and 20% with r-hirudin (1.79 mm(2) vs. 2.24 mm(2), P <.05). Infusion of saline led to a significant increase (50%, 1.21 mm(2) vs. 1.93 mm(2), P <.05) in neointimal area compared with balloon dilation alone. Immunohistologic findings showed a significant reduction of macrophages (5.0% vs. 10.2%, P <.05) and proliferating cells (6.2% vs. 10.6%, P <.05) in the neointima after local application of L-arginine. CONCLUSION: Reduction of neointimal area was significant for L-arginine and molsidomine but not for r-hirudin. Saline infusion caused significant arterial trauma, resulting in additional neointimal proliferation.     

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: iliac and deep femoral arteries

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the iliac and deep femoral vessels appears to be successfully performed by experienced arteriographers, and the early and 2 year patency and clinical results are very encouraging. The technique requires detailed imaging systems and selective catheter technique acquired by experience in dealing with diseased arteries. The preliminary results and techniques using balloon dilatation catheters are presented.     

Femoral and popliteal arteries: reanalysis of results of balloon angioplasty.

The author presents an alternative statistical analysis of the results of the University of Toronto series of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the femoral and popliteal arteries (n = 254). After recalculation of the data with the Kaplan-Meier method, the postprocedure success rate ranged from 88.8% +/- 2.0 at 1 month to 35.7% +/- 4.8 at 6 years. With Cox multiple regression analysis, the type of femoropopliteal lesion and the runoff were the variables that were useful to predict late results. For stenoses with good runoff, the success rate was 53% at 5 years; with poor runoff, 31% at 5 years. For occlusions with good runoff, the success rate was 36% at 5 years; with poor runoff, 16% at 5 years. In initially successful cases, ongoing clinical success at 1, 3, and 5 years was better in patients with good runoff at the time of PTA than in those with poor runoff. Now that more recent studies have documented improved technical success in femoropopliteal PTA, a comparative study of the relative safety, long-term clinical efficacy, and cumulative cost of PTA versus surgery seems warranted.     

切割球囊成形术治疗冠脉小血管病变

目的　探讨切割球囊成形术在冠脉小血管病变治疗中的临床价值。方法　以正常参考血管直径≤ 2 .7mm为小血管标准。应用切割球囊成形术治疗 2 2例患者的 2 5处病变。结果　 2 5处病变中 ,切割球囊成形术成功治疗 2 1处 (84% ) ,其中 7处因严重狭窄而予直径 1.5mm的常规球囊预扩张。2处因发生严重撕裂影响血流行补救性支架植入术 ;1处对角支开口病变 ,切割球囊成形术成功 ,但在前降支植入支架后残余狭窄增加至 70 % ,尝试再次通过导引钢丝失败 ;1处因近段血管严重扭曲切割球囊未能通过。住院期间未发生死亡和急性心肌梗死。平均随访 (7.3± 3.0 )个月 (3～ 12个月 ) ,5例患者复发心绞痛 ,3例行冠脉造影复查 :1例为补救性支架植入术后再狭窄 ,再次予切割球囊成形术治疗成功 ;1例对角支开口病变因前降支支架再狭窄而完全闭塞 ;1例为其他冠脉新发病变。结论　切割球囊成形术安全可靠 ,为治疗冠脉小血管病变提供了一个有效的途径     

Pull-through approach to percutaneous angioplasty of totally occluded common iliac arteries

A method has been developed to increase the probability of success of percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty of total occlusions of the common iliac artery when conventional methods have failed. In 10 patients with a totally obstructed iliac artery, a guide wire was passed through a catheter placed from the contralateral side around the aortic bifurcation and antegrade through the total obstruction. The end of the wire was either snared by a retrieval basket or guided through a sheath in the ipsilateral common femoral artery, thus providing a firmly anchored pathway for subsequent manipulations. Balloons were then inserted retrograde through both common femoral arteries and dilated. In the first five patients, ipsilateral retrograde passage of a guide wire had failed despite multiple attempts with a variety of devices. In the other five patients, the contralateral antegrade approach was used initially. The new method was successful in all 10 patients with totally obstructed common iliac arteries.     

Transluminal angioplasty of the iliac and femoral arteries: follow-up results without anticoagulation

With the advent of the angiographic balloon catheter, transluminal angioplasty has become a more effective procedure for the alleviation of symptoms of peripheral ischemia. In the past two and a half years we have performed this procedure on over 208 iliac and femoral arteries. One hundred twenty iliac arteries were dilated. Of these, 86% remained patent at one year and 83% at two years. Eighty-eight femoral arteries were dilated. Of these, 75% remained patent at one year and 67% at two years. These vessel survival rates are slightly less than those following surgery. However, the morbidity from transluminal angioplasty is very low and the mortality is essentially zero.