Use of abciximab during infrainguinal peripheral vascular interventions: initial experience.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the use of abciximab as an adjunct during infrainguinal angioplasty.


METHODS
Abciximab was used in conjunction with recanalization techniques and angioplasty to treat stenoses or occlusions in 16 patients: 10 patients had high-grade stenoses or occlusions longer than 5 cm in the superficial femoral artery and popliteal artery, and six patients had stenoses or occlusions below the popliteal artery. All patients received a bolus of heparin after arterial access was achieved. Abciximab was administered by means of a weight-base nomogram that consisted of an initial bolus followed by an overnight infusion. Technical success was defined as a less than 30% residual stenosis after angioplasty. Patients were carefully followed up for possible postprocedural complications. Platelet counts were monitored for 24 hours.


RESULTS
Technical success was achieved in 15 (94%) of 16 patients. One occlusion of the superficial femoral artery could not be crossed. There was a mean postprocedural increase of 0.23 in the ankle-brachial index. There was no significant effect on platelet count. Two minor complications occurred. One major complication occurred; this was a groin hematoma, which required a blood transfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of abciximab as an adjunct during complex infrainguinal arterial interventions appears promising, on the basis of initial experience.
Stavropoulos
S William
SW
Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, 1 Silverstein, 3400 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA 19010, USA. stav@rad.upenn.edu
Solomon
Jeffrey A
JA
Soulen
Michael C
MC
Clark
Timothy W I
TW
Shlansky-Goldberg
Richard D
RD
D000077284:Abciximab; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011150:Popliteal Artery
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D006493:Heparin; D000077284:Abciximab