Duplex-guided infrainguinal balloon angioplasty and stenting. A 4-year experience.
OBJECTIVE
The traditional technique of infrainguinal arterial balloon angioplasties involves the use of fluoroscopy and contrast material. We performed these procedures under duplex guidance to eliminate radiation exposure and avoid nephrotoxic effect of contrast.


METHODS
Over the last four years, 274 patients (59% males) with a mean age of 74+/-9 years (range 42-97 years) had a total of 360 attempted balloon angioplasties of the superficial femoral (SFA) and/or popliteal arteries under duplex guidance. Cannulation of common femoral artery, manipulation of the guidewire across the stenoses and/or occlusions of the SFA and/or popliteal artery, and balloon dilation were achieved with duplex guidance alone. Infrapopliteal angioplasties of 80 arteries were attempted in 54 cases (15% of all cases).


RESULTS
Overall technical success for femoral-popliteal segment was 95% (342/360 cases) and 96% (77/80 cases) for infrapopliteal segment.


CONCLUSIONS
Duplex guided balloon angioplasty and stent placement appears to be a safe and effective technique for treatment of femoral-popliteal and infrapopliteal arterial occlusive disease.
Ascher
E
E
Division of Vascular Services, Maimonides Medical Center, New York, NY 11219, USA. eascher@maimonidesmed.org
Marks
N A
NA
Hingorani
A P
AP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D015607:Stents; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods; D014654:Vascular Patency