title: Long-segment (> or = 10 cm) femoropopliteal angioplasty: improved technical success and long-term patency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess angioplasty as a treatment for symptomatic long-segment (> or = 10 cm) femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Angioplasty performed on 44 lesions that measured 10-40 cm (mean, 24.3 cm) were assessed for technical success and 12-24-month patency. Disease severity was assessed with the Doppler ankle-brachial index (ABI) and clinical evaluation before angioplasty and at follow-up examinations 1 month and 12-24 months (mean, 18 months) later. Technical success was defined as a restoration of vessel lumen (< 30% residual stenosis) and a rise in ABI values of at least 0.2. Arterial patency (< 50% residual stenosis) was determined with color duplex sonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Angioplasty was technically successful at 41 of 44 sites (93%). There was no mortality related to the procedure or emergency surgical referral. At 18-month follow-up, mean ABI values had risen from 0.53 to 0.80. Cumulative primary patency was 69%. Clinical symptoms had improved in 83% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Angioplasty is useful in the treatment of long-segment femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Northwick Park Hospital, Middlesex, London, England.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Apthorp
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Wilkins
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency