Endovascular brachytherapy in the prevention of vascular restenosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the technical feasibility and efficacy of endovascular brachytherapy for prophylaxis of restenosis after femoropopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).


METHODS
Ten patients with recurrence of stenosis in the femoropopliteal region underwent PTA followed by endovascular irradiation with Iridium-192 a high-dose rate after-loading technique. We used a single fraction of dose 12 Gy given in 3 mm from the source axis in the stenotic vessel segment.


RESULTS
During follow-up of 59-580 days restenosis occurred in four patients 111, 460, 472 and 580 days after irradiation. All other patients are without restenosis. No radiation-associated side effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Endovascular brachytherapy of restenosis in the femoropopliteal region is technically feasible, and may be done as a part of the PTA. These encouraging results open the possibility of reduction of restenosis by the present method.
Dvorák
J
J
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Charles University Hospital, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. dvorakj@fnhk.cz
Fridrich
J
J
Raupach
J
J
Petera
J
J
Krajina
A
A
Lojík
M
M
Masková
J
J
Vodnanský
P
P
Zoul
Z
Z
Odrázka
K
K
Kalousová
D
D
Chovanec
V
V
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001918:Brachytherapy; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000532:radiotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes