title: [Endovascular brachytherapy for the prevention of recurrence after PTA].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recurrent stenosis after PTA is caused by intimal hyperplasia and constrictive arterial remodeling. In experimental and first clinical studies, ionizing radiation has demonstrated its potential to control excessive intimal proliferation. We wanted to evaluate the safety, feasibility and efficacy of endoluminal irradiation after PTA and/or stent implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 1996, 24 patients (24 lesions) who had a stenosis or occlusion measuring more than 5 cm in length in the superficial femoral artery or a restenosis after PTA underwent endoluminal irradiation. An isodose of 14 Gy was applied to the vessel wall using an Ir-192-HDR afterloading unit. The radiation was tolerated well; the additional time needed for the procedure was 30-45 min.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a mean follow-up time of 15 months we found a cumulative patency rate of 60%. No side effects were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular brachytherapy is a safe and brief procedure. In our selection of patients, a patency rate of approx. 40% after 1 year has to be expected. Thus, these first results are promising, although first published studies of endoluminal irradiation in peripheral vessels with stent implantation showed higher patency rates. No randomized data are currently available. We conclude that endovascular irradiation should be performed together with stent implantation in long lesions or recurrent stenosis after PTA, in order to control not only excessive intimal proliferation but also constrictive arterial remodeling.
authors: Institut für Röntgendiagnostik im Donauspital/SMZ Ost Wien.
authors: L J
authors: LJ
authors: Pichler
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Hawliczek
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Somloi
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Mayrhofer
authors: W F
authors: WF
authors: Schmidt
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Hruby
mesh_terms: D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001918:Brachytherapy; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents