title: Percutaneous angioplasty for infrainguinal graft-related stenoses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the success of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in treating infrainguinal graft-related stenoses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of stenoses undergoing PTA over 6 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven stenoses in 42 grafts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Site, length and type of stenoses recorded. Follow-up till discharge, graft occlusion or death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PTA was successful in 48/57 stenoses in 36 grafts (G), with a poor result in seven. Further PTA was required in seven stenoses (7 G). One graft occluded at PTA and one stenosis was inaccessible. Overall graft (G) patency (median 13 months) was 82% (1 year patency 84%). Of 48 successful PTAs (37 G), 36 remained patent (28 G), eight (4 G) occluded and four were lost to follow-up (4 G). Fourteen of thirty-six stenoses which remained patent required further intervention (seven PTA, six jump grafts, one vein patch). The four occlusions were associated with small veins (two), multiple stenoses (one) and a PTFE graft which occluded 10 days following PTA. Of the seven PTAs with a poor angiographic result, five remained patent, three after further intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTA is the best treatment for localised stenoses. Stenoses > 2 cm or multiple (three or more) stenoses are best treated surgically. Follow-up is essential, as 20% require further intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Guys Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pardy
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Reidy
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation