[Peripheral revascularization by cardiologists].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the initial experience in peripheral arterial revascularization, using percutaneous techniques, by interventional cardiologists.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
Cardiology department of a specialised public non-university hospital.


METHODS
Twenty patients, 18 male and 2 female, with ages between 37 and 84 years, who underwent peripheral interventions between May 5 1989 and February 20 1998.


METHODS
Patients were subdivided into two groups: Group I, 9 patients, 8 male, average age of 56 +/- 13 years, undergoing renal artery angioplasty; Group II, 11 patients, 10 male, average age of 63 +/- 10 years, undergoing angioplasty of the distal aorta (1), of the right subclavian artery (1), of the iliac arteries (6) and of the femoral arteries (3). In Group I, 11 arteries were dilated, 6 by balloon angioplasty and 5 with stent implantation (Palmaz-Schatz--4 and Symphony--1). In Group II, 12 arteries were dilated, 5 by balloon angioplasty and 7 with 12 stent implantations (Palmaz-Schatz--6, Symphony--5 and NIRTM--1). In 8 patients, 1 of Group I and 7 of Group II, coronary angioplasty was also performed in 14 arteries and 18 segments, exclusively by balloon (3 patients) or with 10 stent implantations (5 patients).


RESULTS
There was angiographic success in all patients (100%) and clinical success in 85% (17/20) of patients. All clinical complications occurred in Group I patients: retroperitoneal bleeding in one; right femoral artery pseudoaneurysm requiring surgery in one patient: acute renal failure in one patient. There were no cardiac complications in patients undergoing peripheral and cardiac angioplasties at the same stage. In the mean follow-up period of 26 months, one patient required reangioplasty of a right iliac artery and another underwent iliac-femoral bypass, both of Group II and before peripheral stents were available.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous peripheral arterial revascularization performed by experienced interventional cardiologists seems safe and efficient, being perfectly justified in patients requiring simultaneous coronary angioplasty.
Seabra-Gomes
R
R
Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide.
Luís-Palos
J
J
Machado
F P
FP
Baptista
J
J
Silva
J M
JM
Gil
V
V
Almeida
M
M
Mesquita
A
A
Teles
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011859:Radiography; D012077:Renal Artery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013348:Subclavian Artery