title: Subintimal angioplasty in the management of critical lower-extremity ischemia: value in limb salvage.
abstract: The interest in and overall usage of endovascular procedures for the treatment of lower extremity ischemia continues to grow at a rapid pace. An increasing number of centers throughout the world are gaining experience with subintimal angioplasty. Promising results have been reported and the application of the technique has been expanded to include the iliac and crural arteries. The technique of subintimal angioplasty and several variations are discussed. Although primary patency rates compared with bypass are relatively low for patients undergoing subintimal angioplasty, limb salvage rates remain high. When a subintimal angioplasty fails, it frequently does so without the recurrence of symptoms, especially when a gangrenous lesion or ulcer has healed. Given the many advantages of this technique, which include reduced anesthesia requirements, a minimally invasive approach, and potential reductions in length of stay and cost, subintimal angioplasty will continue to have a role in the treatment of lower extremity ischemia. When applied judiciously, bypass options may be preserved. This does not, however, mean that the availability of this technique should be used as justification to lower the threshold for the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. ELipsitz@aol.com
authors.forename: Evan C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lipsitz
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Veith
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohki
mesh_terms: D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000379:methods*; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D004691:Endarterectomy; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D007511:Ischemia / Q000628:therapy*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D023821:Limb Salvage; D018579:Patient Selection; D017539:Tunica Intima; D014654:Vascular Patency