title: [A clinical study of infrapopliteal balloon angioplasty for patients with critical lower limb ischemia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of infrapopliteal angioplasty as the first-choice procedure in patients with critical lower limb ischemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  From December 2005 to May 2009, infrapopliteal angioplasty was considered as the first-choice method in consecutive patients with infrapopliteal occlusive disease hospitalized for critical ischemia. Fifty-four patients (61 limbs) with a mean age of 66 years old (37 male and 17 female) underwent infrapopliteal balloon angioplasty. The preoperative ankle branchial index (ABI) was 0.43 + or - 0.27.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Iliofemoral artery revascularization (stenting in 28 limbs and bypass in 5 limbs) were successful. Infrapopliteal balloon dilation was success in 57 limbs, the technical success rate was 93.4%. The major complications were calf hematoma in 3 cases (4.9%), and below-the-knee amputation in 2 cases (3.3%). Postoperative ABI increased to 0.86 + or - 0.21(P < 0.01). Mean follow-up time was (16 + or - 11) months. The primary patency rate was 61.1%, restenosis rate was 38.9% (21 of 54 limbs), and surgical intervention were performed for 10 limbs, the secondary patency rates was 75.9%. Major amputation in 3 limbs during follow-up period, the limb salvage rate was 91.8%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infrapopliteal balloon angioplasty as the first-choice method is feasible, safe and effective for limb salvage in patients with critical lower limb ischemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China. liucw@vip.sina.com
authors.forename: Chang-wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Bao
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Wei-wei
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yue-xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xiao-jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000379:methods*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome