THE VALUE OF DUPLEX SONOGRAPHY AFTER PERIPHERAL ARTERY ANGIOPLASTY INPREDICTING SUBACUTE RESTENOSIS

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine if abnormal find ings on duplex sonographic examination after peripheral artery angiopl asty correlate with the subsequent recurrence of a stenosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. We used duplex sonography to examine 35 stenoses in 23 pa tients within 48 hr after the patients had angioplasty to treat these stenoses. Patients were followed up for 3 years by using one or more o f the following: assessment of signs and symptoms, monitoring of perip heral pulses, pulse volume recordings, and angiography. Life tables we re constructed to compare long-term patency with the presence of abnor mal findings seen on duplex sonograms. Abnormal findings at the dilate d segment included a blood-flow velocity greater than 120 cm/sec or a residual elevated velocity ratio greater than 1.4 or 2.0 immediately a fter angioplasty. RESULTS. Twelve (34%) of 35 angioplasty sites showed recurrent stenosis before 36 months. Patency at 24 months was calcula ted for velocities less than 120 cm/sec vs velocities of 120 cm/sec or greater (41% vs 68%), for velocity ratios less than 1.4 vs ratios of 1.4 or greater (63% vs 57%), and for velocity ratios less than 2.0 vs ratios of 2.0 or greater (54% vs 74%). We found no significant differe nce in patency between those patients with normal findings and those w ith abnormal findings on duplex sonographic examination after angiopla sty.CONCLUSION. Abnormal findings on duplex sonograms obtained immedia tely after peripheral angioplasty cannot be used to predict subacute r estenosis.