Efficacy of balloon angioplasty of the superficial femoral artery and popliteal artery in the relief of leg ischemia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of balloon angioplasty in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) and popliteal artery for relief of lower-limb claudication and critical ischemia.


METHODS
All patients who underwent SFA or popliteal balloon angioplasty at the Royal Adelaide Hospital between January 1989 and September 1994 were reviewed. Risk factors, indications, angiographic variables, and complications were assessed. Outcome was expressed in life-table form as patency, limb survival, and patient survival rates.


RESULTS
One hundred seventy-six patients (96 men, 80 women) who underwent 200 balloon angioplasty procedures were monitored for a mean of 25 months. Seventy-four percent of procedures were for claudication relief and 26% for critical ischemia. The cumulative patency rate at 24 months for all cases was 46%. The limb salvage rate was 95%, and the patient survival rate was 91% at 24 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the SFA and popliteal arteries is commonly used to treat claudication and critical ischemia but is associated with a high initial failure rate and poor patency at 24 months. Balloon angioplasty is not recommended to treat claudication.
Stanley
B
B
Department of Vascular Surgery and Radiology, University of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
Teague
B
B
Raptis
S
S
Taylor
D J
DJ
Berce
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013021:South Australia; D015996:Survival Rate; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency