Long-term results of angioplasties of pelvic and leg blood vessels

Abstract

In the context of quality control, the results of balloon angioplasty of iliac and leg vessels in patients with vascular occlusive disease were investigated pertaining to the technical and clinical success. 197 conventional balloon angioplasties were evaluated regarding their success over a period of 1-4 years, retrospectively. The localisations of the primary obstructions and the existence of further obstructions, especially in the lower limb, the risk factors, and the technical and clinical results were compared. The clinical stage and the results of duplex ultrasound during follow-up examinations were recorded over a period of 1-4 years. The technical success of PTA was 95% for stenotic lesions and 80% for occlusions. In the long-term (up to 4 years) PTA of the iliac arteries achieved the best results with a success rate of 88%. The long-term results for the combination of the risk factors nicotine/hyperlipidemia (69%) was better than for the combination of diabetes/hypertonia (54%). The combined PTA of the main obstruction and of lower limb vascular had better results than the PTA without the dilatation of following stenoses 73% to 79% after one year. In our department we achieved a rise in success rate from 84% in 1995 to 96% in 1997. The number of complications during PTA was reduced from 8% in 1995 to 0% in 1997 and 1998. PTA has a high technical success rate and good clinical long-term results at low complication rates. Combined PTA of the main obstruction and an additional lower limb arterial stenosis or occlusion should be discussed because of the better clinical results after one year. By the quality control we achieved a rising technical success rate and a drop in complication rate.