title: Excimer-laser-assisted angioplasty in chronic femoropopliteal occlusion: the significance of an intimal flap in predicting reocclusion.
abstract: Angioplasty assisted by excimer laser was performed on 27 chronic femoropopliteal occlusions, ranging from 2 to 30 cm in length, in 26 patients. Twenty-one (78%) of the procedures were successful initially. Of these, 12 (57% [44% of the total]) remained patent at follow-up 3 months later. In seven of the nine cases of reocclusion observed after 3 months (78%) a large intimal flap resulting from the angioplasty-induced dissection could be identified in the postprocedure angiogram. The authors stress the possible importance of such an intimal flap in limiting the success of laser-assisted angioplasty of long femoropopliteal occlusions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, University of Western Ontario, London.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Rankin
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Vellet
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Munk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017222:Angioplasty, Balloon, Laser-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014654:Vascular Patency