Efficacy of balloon catheter dilatation for lower extremity atherosclerosis.
Since there are few data regarding complications and long-term efficacy of balloon catheter dilatation for advanced lower extremity atherosclerosis, we are reporting our experience with 132 attempted dilatations in 88 patients. Dilatation was attempted on 51 aortoiliac-common femoral lesions, 80 superficial femoral-popliteal lesions and 1 peroneal lesion. Twenty procedures were technically unsuccessful and led to urgent surgery in three patients. Thirty-one complications in the 109 technically successful dilatations led to emergency surgery in only one, but another required closure of an arteriovenous fistula at the site of catheterization. There were three episodes of embolism, but none required operation. In 109 dilatations monitored for 1 month, there was significant hemodynamic improvement in 52 and mild to moderate improvement in 37; 10 had no change; 10 occluded at the site of dilatation. Of the 42 patients observed 6 months or longer, 11 maintained a significant increase, and 15 had mild to moderate improvement; 11 reverted to predilatation levels; 1 had progressive worsening; 4 occluded. Sixteen patients who had significant increases in flow after dilatation and were followed longer than 6 months showed a trend to restenosis as the length of follow-up increased. We conclude that dilatation is a useful adjunctive procedure in treating lower extremity atherosclerosis, that the early results are good, and that the incidence of recurrent stenosis is high. Indications for dilatation and its complications are similar to those for operations. It should not be done without hemodynamic monitoring.
D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012039:Regional Blood Flow