Endofibrosis of iliac arteries in high-performance athletes: diagnostic approach and minimally invasive endovascular treatment.
The aim of this article is to report our experience in the diagnosis of two cases of iliac artery endofibrosis or arteriopathy, a rare entity occurring in high-performance athletes, presenting with intermittent claudication (right-sided in both) after maximal exercise. External iliac artery endofibrosis or arteriopathy is a likely diagnosis in competitive athletes free of cardiovascular risk factors who present with leg claudication. Arteriography and a papaverine-assisted mean pressure gradient across the iliac arteries of more than 10 mmHg is a useful diagnostic approach. Moreover, balloon angioplasty of the iliac artery in that patient, in whom a pressure gradient was detected, resulted in symptomatic relief for 2 months followed by mild symptom recurrence. Thus, although balloon angioplasty is feasible and safe, it might not be adequate to treat this entity and, thus, its value remains undefined.
Giannoukas
Athanasios D
AD
Sheffield Vascular Institute, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, S5 7AU, UK. agiannoukas@hotmail.com
Berczi
Viktor
V
Anoop
Unnikrishnan
U
Cleveland
Trevor J
TJ
Beard
Jonathan D
JD
Gaines
Peter A
PA
D000328:Adult; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged