Percutaneous transluminal revascularization for iliac occlusive disease: Long-term outcomes in TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus A and B lesions

Percutaneous transluminal intervention for atherosclerotic iliac occlusive disease is now commonplace. We examine the long-term outcomes of TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) A and B lesions. We performed a retrospective anonymous analysis of records from patients who underwent iliac artery angioplasty with or without stenting between January 1990 and June 1999. Indications for intervention were symptomatic claudication (77%) or critical ischemia (23%). Altogether, 276 patients (all men; average age 64 +/- 11 years range 32-87 years) underwent 394 interventions. Co-morbidities included hypertension (61%), hypercholesterolemia (45%), diabetes (28%), and chronic renal insufficiency (26%). A total of the 62% of the lesions were TASC category A, and the remainder were category B. Of the 394 primary interventions, 51% included placement of stents. Technical success (defined by <30% residual stenosis) was achieved in 98% of treated vessels. The procedure-related mortality rate was 1.8% at 30 days and 4.7% at 90 days; the procedure-related complication rate was 7%. Hemodynamic success (defined as a rise in the ankle/branchial index > 0.15) was achieved in 82%. The average Society for Vascular Surgery symptom score was 3.4 +/- 0.9 before intervention, which improved to 1.9 +/- 0.8 following intervention. Within 3 months, 84% of patients demonstrated clinical improvement. Patient survival by life-table analysis was 38% at 10 years. The cumulative assisted patency rate was 71 7% at 10 years. The presence of two-vessel femoral runoff, two or more patent tibial vessels, or both was associated with improved patency. Limb salvage was 95 +/- 2% and 87 +/- 9% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Using Cox proportional hazards analysis, the presence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or chronic renal insufficiency was associated with the occurrence of primary failure, whereas increased patency intervals were associated with the presence of immediate hemodynamic improvement. Use of a stent did not influence outcome. Endoluminal iliac intervention for TASC A and B lesions is a safe, durable intervention in patients with good femoral and tibial runoff. The presence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or poor tibial runoff is associated with failure.