title: Vibrational angioplasty in recanalization of chronic femoropopliteal arterial occlusions: single center experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective study aims to present the overall success rate, safety and long-term outcome of vibrational angioplasty technique, in the treatment of chronic total femoropopliteal occlusions in our institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between October 2000 and December 2008, patients with chronic total femoropoliteal arterial occlusions, treated with vibrational angioplasty during the same session after a failed attempt with conventional recanalization technique, were included. Patient's follow up included serial ankle-brachial index measurements and arterial duplex ultrasound examinations at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven patients (16 males and 11 females) and twenty-eight lesions were included in our study. Twenty-five lesions (89.3%) were successfully recanalized. Pain relief was noticed in twenty-one cases. From ten lesions with tissue loss (ulcer or gangrene) in successfully recanalized occlusions, six healed without major, or minor amputation. One non-healing amputation stump was healed after recanalization, without further complications. Four limbs underwent amputation (one minor and three major) despite successful recanalization, however all had an excellent healing of the amputation stump without further complications. The Kaplan-Meier test demonstrated 90%, 85% and 70% amputation-free survival rate at 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. No major or minor complications were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vibrational angioplasty is a safe, effective and durable endovascular technique for the treatment of chronic total occlusions in patients with limb ischemia that would be difficult to recanalize using conventional intraluminal techniques.
authors: 251 Hellenic Air Force General Hospital, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: jkapgr@yahoo.gr.
authors: Ioannis
authors: I
authors: Kapralos
authors: Interventional Radiology Unit, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Electronic address: eliaskmd@yahoo.gr.
authors: Elias
authors: E
authors: Kehagias
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Electronic address: ioannou@med.uoc.g.
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Ioannou
authors: Interventional Radiology Unit, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Electronic address: izolthi@gmail.com.
authors: Izolde
authors: I
authors: Bouloukaki
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Electronic address: kostasth@mailbox.gr.
authors: Theodoros
authors: T
authors: Kostas
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Electronic address: asterios@med.uoc.gr.
authors: Asterios
authors: A
authors: Katsamouris
authors: Interventional Radiology Unit, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Electronic address: tsetis@med.uoc.gr.
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Tsetis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*
keywords: Chronic total occlusions; Peripheral arterial disease; Recanalization; Vibrational angioplasty