Long-term results of angioplasties on iliac and leg vessels

In the context of quality control, the results of balloon angioplasty of il iac and leg vessels in patients with vascular occlusive disease were invest igated pertaining to the technical and clinical success. Methods: 197 conve ntional balloon angioplasties were evaluated regarding their success over a period of 1-4 years, retrospectively. The localisations of the primary obs tructions and the existence of further obstructions, especially in the lowe r limb, the risk factors, and the technical and clinical results were compa red. The clinical stage and the results of duplex ultrasound during follow- up examinations were recorded over a period of 1-4 years. Results: The tech nical success of PTA was 95% for stenotic lesions and 80% for occlusions. I n the long-term (up to 4 years) PTA of the iliac arteries achieved the best results with a success rate of 88%. The long-term results for the combinat ion of the risk factors nicotine/hyperlipidemia (69%) was better than for t he combination of diabetes/hypertonia (54%). The combined PTA of the main o bstruction and of lower limb vascular had better results than the PTA witho ut the dilatation of following stenoses 73% to 79% after one year. In our d epartment we achieved a rise in success rate from 84% in 1995 to 96% in 199 7. The number of complications during PTA was reduced from 8% in 1995 to 0% in 1997 and 1998. Conclusions: PTA has a high technical success rate and g ood clinical long-term results at low complication rates. Combined PTA of t he main obstruction and an additional lower limb arterial stenosis or occlu sion should be discussed because of the better clinical results after one y ear. By the quality control we achieved a rising technical success rate and a drop in complication rate.