Evaluation of distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia: An experimental comparison by arteriography, duplex sonography, angioscopy, and intravascular ultrasound

Routine follow-up investigation methods after peripheral arterial bypass su rgery, such as arteriography and colour duplex sonography, do not always al low correct analysis of moderate alterations in the vessel wall, e.g. initi al stages of distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia (DAIH). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of angioscopy and intravascular ultra sound compared to the named routine methods regarding detection of early DA IH. Eight months after bilateral femoropopliteal bypass surgery with venous grafts in 18 sheep, we investigated the distal anastomotic sites using the named methods. The findings were then correlated to histologic specimens. Intravascular ultrasound presented the highest sensitivity followed by angi oscopy, with results markedly different from the findings arrived at by con ventional methods.