title: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty results in improved physical function but not balance in patients with intermittent claudication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify whether revascularization by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for patients with intermittent claudication improved measures of functional performance including balance.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was performed at a single tertiary vascular center. Patients with symptomatic intermittent claudication (Rutherford grades 1-3) were recruited to the study. Participants were assessed at baseline (pre-PTA) and then 3, 6, and 12 months post-PTA for markers of (1) lower limb ischemia (treadmill walking distances and ankle-brachial pressure index), (2) physical function (6-minute walk, Timed Up and Go, and chair stand time), (3) balance impairment using computerized dynamic posturography with the Sensory Organization Test, and (4) quality of life (VascuQoL and Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three participants underwent PTA. Over 12 months, a significant improvement was demonstrated in initial (P = .04) and maximum treadmill walking distance (P = .019). Physical functional ability improved across all outcome measures (P < .02), and some domains of both generic (P < .03) and disease-specific quality of life (P < .01). No significant improvement in balance was demonstrated by the Sensory Organization Test (P = .24).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Balance impairment is common in claudicants and does not improve with revascularization. Further research regarding effective treatment of balance impairment is required in this specific group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Hull, United Kingdom. Electronic address: risha@doctors.net.uk.
authors.forename: Risha Arun
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gohil
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mockford
authors.forename: Fayyaz A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Mazari
authors.forename: Junaid A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Vanicek
authors.forename: Ian C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Chetter
authors.forename: Patrick A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Coughlin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000379:methods*; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*