Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the subclavian and innominate arteries was performed in 27 patients at 33 sites (30 subclavian, 3 innominate). All procedures were successful angiographically and clinically and were without complication. The ipsilateral arm was utilized in all cases. Indications for the procedure included claudication (ten patients), neurological symptoms (seven patients), to gain vascular access for other interventions (eight patients), and scheduled coronary bypass surgery with internal mammary utilization (two patients). There were 22 stenoses and 11 occlusions. Thrombi was retrogradely recovered through the arteriotomy site in three patients with vessel occlusions. No early or late episode of neurological deficit was seen. Follow-up was obtained in 22 patients (82%) at a mean time of 28 months (range, 2-73 months). The cumulative patency rate was 95%. The three restenosed sites were treated with successful repeat PTA. Angioplasty of stenotic or occluded subclavian or innominate arteries should be the procedure of choice in symptomatic patients.
Conventional balloon angioplasty (PTA) was attempted in 111 patients (60% male; mean age 67 +/- 9 years) with 168 below-the-knee, tibioperoneal vessels (TPV) lesions. The presenting predominant symptoms were claudication in 52 (47%), non-healing ulcer/gangrene in 30 (27%), and rest pain in 29 (26%) of patients. An above-the-knee vessel was dilated before TPV angioplasty in 62 patients (56%). A successful PTA was achieved in 152/168 (90%) TPV: stenoses, 124/125 (99%); occlusions, 28/43 (65%). Complications encountered included contrast-induced renal failure (4%), distal embolization (4%), entry site arterial repair or embolectomy (2%), dissection or occlusion (2%), and groin hematoma (2%). A significant complication (death, emergency bypass surgery, or distal embolization) occurred in only 3 patients (3%); no complications whatsoever were found in 100 patients (90%). At discharge, 106 patients (95%) were clinically improved. A restenosis and/or second PTA procedure occurred in 44/108 patients (40%) (mean time: 9 +/- 6 months) with the presenting predominant symptom being claudication in 38 patients (86%). However, only 36% of patients had lesion recurrence with or without new disease, and 64% showed evidence of disease progression with symptoms. Angiographic and clinical success was achieved in 42 patients undergoing second PTA (96%). These data indicate that balloon angioplasty can be successfully utilized in patients with symptomatic obliterative disease of the tibioperoneal vessels with excellent success, a low risk of complications, and good clinical improvement. PTA of the below-knee vessels should not be restricted to patients in limb salvage situations.
Percutaneous aspiration of a thromboembolus was successfully performed in 12 out of 13 patients with in situ thrombosis (4 patients), distal embolization (7 patients), or both (2 patients). The flow was improved from TIMI 0 (10 patients, no flow) or TIMI 1 (2 patients, impaired flow) to TIMI 3 (10 patients, normal flow) or TIMI 2 (2 patients, normal but slower flow). A custom-made 8 F Teflon-coated sheath was introduced in the superficial femoral and proximal below-the-knee arteries to aspirate the debris. Distal embolization in below-the-knee arteries was concomitantly treated with short-term intraarterial Urokinase in nine patients. Complications included one in-hospital (not procedure related) death, two patients with below-the-knee amputations (above-the-knee amputation averted), and one transmetatarsal amputation (prior established gangrene present and below-the-knee amputation avoided). The remaining nine patients left the hospital with improved limb status and peripheral pulses. This technique is a rapid, reliable, and efficient method to treat in-situ clot or procedure-related distal embolization as an adjuvant or complement to lytic treatment.
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