Ultrasound-Guided Retrograde Infrapopliteal Artery Access for Recanalization of Complex Femoral-Popliteal Artery Occlusions

Abstract

The aim of the study was to review the outcomes of femoral-popliteal artery (FPA) interventions using an ultrasound (US)-guided retrograde infrapopliteal artery access after the failure of an antegrade recanalization. From Jan 2016 to Jan 2019, 37 patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the FPA underwent ultrasound (US)-guided retrograde infrapopliteal artery access after failure of an antegrade procedure. Treated limbs were classified as Rutherford class 5 or 6 (29.7%) and class 4 (62.2%). Data collected included success rate and time to access using US. Immediate in-hospital and follow-up outcomes were also documented. US-guided retrograde infrapopliteal artery access was successful in 100% of the patients (anterior tibial = 11, posterior tibial = 19, Peroneal = 4, Dorsalis pedis = 3). Retrograde revascularization was achieved in all 37 patients (100%) using balloon angioplasty (17/37, 45.9%) and additional stent placement (20/37, 54.1%). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements changed from 0.25 ± 0.1 preinterventionally to 0.75 ± 0.07 at 1 day postinterventionally (<0.001). Minor complications occurred in 2/37 patients (5.4%) including one bleeding and vasospasm at the posterior tibial artery, both of which were treated conservatively. No patient experienced access-related thrombosis, aneurysm, compartment syndrome or death. Thirty of 37 (81%) patients completed for at least 12 months of follow-up. None of the successful revascularized patients had major or minor amputations during the follow-up period. US-guided retrograde infrapopliteal artery access is a safe and successful technique, which expands revascularization options after the failure of conventional endovascular antegrade approaches.