LONG-SEGMENT (GREATER-THAN-OR-EQUAL-TO-10-CM) FEMOROPOPLITEAL ANGIOPLASTY - IMPROVED TECHNICAL SUCCESS AND LONG-TERM PATENCY

PURPOSE: To assess angioplasty as a treatment for symptomatic long-segment (greater than or equal to 10 cm) femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Angioplasty performed on 44 lesions that measured 10-40 cm (mean, 24.3 cm) were assessed for technical success and 12-24-month patency. Disease severity was assessed with the Doppler ankle-brachial index (ABI) and clinical evaluation before angioplasty and at follow-up examinations 1 month and 12-24 months (mean, 18 months) later. Technical success was defined as a restoration of vessel lumen (<30% residual stenosis) and a rise in ABI values of at least 0.2. Arterial patency (<50% residual stenosis) was determined with color duplex sonography. RESULTS: Angioplasty was technically successful at 41 of 44 sites (93%). There was no mortality related to the procedure or emergency surgical referral. At 18-month follow-up, mean ABI values had risen from 0.53 to 0.80. Cumulative primary patency was 69%. Clinical symptoms had improved in 83% of patients. CONCLUSION: Angioplasty is useful in the treatment of long-segment femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease.