Percutaneous angioplasty of the infra-renal aorta. Report of 9 cases

Between June 1996 and September 2000, nine angioplasties of the infra-renal aorta were performed in two Surgical Vascular Centers (Hospital Saint-Jose ph, Paris, Polyclinic La Baule), in 6 men and three women age ranged from 3 6 to 72 years (middle age 48 years and 2 months). Eight of these patients p resented important stenoses of the middle infra-renal aorta, or in the aort ic bifurcation, one of them presented an occlusion, leading to severe inter mittent claudication, and rest pain. After endoluminal kissing balloon angi oplasty, five aortic stents (five patients), and six iliac primitive arteri es stents (in three patients), extended beyond the aorta, were placed. One isolated angioplasty was also performed. All the procedures were performed in the operative room. with good results, except for one patient requiring emergency aorto-bi-femoral by-pass, because of acute leg ischemia, immediat ely following the procedure. Follow-LIP was clinical, with Us-Doppler scan, and angiogram in all cases. After 36 months follow-up (4-52), all patients are asymptomatic, with permeable stents. This technique is well-known sinc e 1980, without excessive morbidity. Aortic angioplasty represents the righ t technique, with good long-term results, for middle or terminal aorta athe romatous stenosis, according to classical aorto-bi-femoral by-passes. Final result depends on associated iliac arteries stenoses.