Angioplasty for the treatment of visceral ischemia

PURPOSE: To evaluate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of visceral ischemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 14-year period, 25 focal visceral artery stenoses were treated with PTA in 16 patients with acute or chronic visceral ischemia, Thirteen patients were women and three were men, with a mean age of 64.7 years (range, 54-79 years), PTA was performed in seven celiac arteries, 17 superior mesenteric arteries, and one inferior mesenteric artery. RESULTS: PTA was technically successful in 14 of 16 patients (88%), Two patients were lost to follow-up. Nine of 12 patients (75%) demonstrated primary patency with relief of clinical symptoms at a mean follow-up of 2.3 years (range, 0.3-5 years). The remaining three patients underwent successful repeat PTA for recurrent symptoms, There was one postprocedural death, and one patient subsequently underwent successful surgical bypass for recurrent visceral ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Angioplasty of the visceral arteries may provide relief for select patients with intestinal ischemia, but redilation may be required in some patients.