The results of completion angiography after acute lower limb thromboembolectomy.
The results of completion angiography after acute thromboembolectomy with a Fogarty balloon catheter were evaluated. There were 62 patients (median age 72 years, range 44-92 years) and completion angiograms were made in 44 of them (71%). Incomplete runoff was demonstrated in 26 patients (59%) and rethromboembolectomy or vascular reconstruction was made in 18 cases (41%) under the same anaesthesia, while additional vascular surgery was technically impossible in 8 patients (18%). Supplementary surgery resulted in radiological improvement in 56% of operated cases. Reocclusion rate after 6 months was 50% in patients without patent tibials compared to 15% in patients with two or three patent tibial arteries (P less than 0.05). Eighteen patients had no completion angiograms after thromboembolectomy and 5 (28%) required early reoperation due to ischaemia. Completion angiograms are advocated in all cases of acute thromboembolectomy before the patient leaves the operating table.
Palnaes Hansen
C
C
Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Rasch
L
L
Holtveg
H
H
Holstein
P
P
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*