[Balloon dilation alone in treatment of arteriosclerotic stenosis or occlusions of femoropopliteal arteries].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use and efficacy of balloon dilation in arteriosclerotic stenosis or occlusions of femoropopliteal arteries.


METHODS
Thirty patients (27 men, 3 women, age from 44 to 78 years, mean 70) with arteriosclerotic stenosis or occlusion of femoropopliteal arteries received balloon dilation. Thirty-one balloons, which included 3 common balloons, 16 cutting balloons, 10 "deep" balloons and 2 small balloons, were used. Follow-up surveillance featured periodic physical examination and duplex scanning.


RESULTS
In all 30 patients, the technique success was reached only with 6 minor dissections. Angiography after dilation showed that the treated vessels were all patent with a < 20% stenosis remaining in any given lesions. After treatment and over a follow-up of 1 to 17 months (mean 6 months), the symptoms were relieved and all treated vessels were patent except 1 patient (3.3%) who had a gangrene foot and received limb amputation.


CONCLUSIONS
Balloon dilation has a comparative ratio of one-stage success and short-term patency. Some special balloons seem to have a promising future in the management of femoropopliteal arterial arteriosclerotic lesions.
Li
Wei
W
Department of Vascular Surgery, People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100044, China. weiliwl@hotmail.com
Zhang
Xiao-ming
XM
Zhang
Xue-min
XM
Shen
Chen-yang
CY
Li
Qing-le
QL
Jiang
Jing-jun
JJ
Jiao
Yang
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D001162:Arteriosclerosis Obliterans / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D016896:Treatment Outcome