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