Endovascular Stent Placement for the Treatment of Superficial Femoral Artery Stenoses and Occlusions

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of an endovascular stent placement in the treatment of superficial femoral artery stenoses and occlusions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An angioplasty and stent placement was performed in forty four patients (42 men and 2 women; mean age: 71.2 years; age range: 50-82 years). A total of 27 patients were diagnosed with intermittent claudication, in addition to 8 patients with resting pain, and 9 patients with gangrene. A follow-up evaluation accompanied with a physical examination, catheter angiography, and a color Doppler sonography was performed. The patency rates were analyzed after 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. The predictors of restenosis, according to the clinical and anatomical classification, risk factors, as well as the correlation of stent fracture and restenosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Initial technical success was achieved in all patients. The stent placement resulted in an initial improvement of the clinical category in more than one level for 95.5% of cases. Over the course of the follow-up period (mean: 17 months; range, 1-106 months), restenosis occurred in 16 patients (36.4%). The highest patency rates were 87.9% after 3 months, 81.5% after 6 months, 78.0% after 1 year, 54.2% after 2 years, and 46.0% after 3 years. No significant difference was found for the patency rates as a function of the clinical and anatomical classifications, or the risk factors. A stent fracture was identified on only two occasions; however, no clinical symptoms or good intra-stent blood flow was observed in a follow-up angiography. CONCLUSION: A mid-term patency after the stent placements for superficial femoral artery stenoses and occlusions was found to be unfavorable despite an initial success rate. Consequently, greater clinical experience and analysis is necessary.

Rupture of Popliteal Arterial Aneurysm due to Salmonella Infection

We report here on a case of popliteal aneurysm and rupture that occurred over a 10-day period and this was all secondary to salmonella infection. Computed tomography (CT) angiography of the extremity that was performed before and after aneurysmal rupture showed the aneurysm's rapid evolution to rupture over a short period of time. We also review the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach and management of salmonella aneurysms.

Rupture of Popliteal Arterial Aneurysm due to Salmonella Infection

We report here on a case of popliteal aneurysm and rupture that occurred over a 10-day period and this was all secondary to salmonella infection. Computed tomography (CT) angiography of the extremity that was performed before and after aneurysmal rupture showed the aneurysm's rapid evolution to rupture over a short period of time. We also review the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach and management of salmonella aneurysms.

Subintimal Angioplasty in the Treatment of Chronic Lower Limb Ischemia

OBJECTIVE: To present our experience with subintimal angioplasty (SA) for treatment of chronic lower limb ischemia (CLLI) and to assess its effectiveness and durability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2003 through June 2005, we treated 40 limbs in 36 patients with CLLI by SA. Balloons with or without secondary stent placement appropriate in size to the occluded arteries were used for SA of all lesions, except for iliac lesions where primary stent placement was done. The patients were followed for 1-23 months by clinical examination and color Doppler ultrasound and/or CT angiography. Technical results and outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. The presence of a steep learning curve for performance of SA was also evaluated. Primary and secondary patencies were determined using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 32 (80%) of 40 limbs. There was no statistical difference between technical success rates of 75% (18/24) during the first year and 88% (14/16) thereafter. There were four complications (10%) in 40 procedures; two arterial perforations, one pseudoaneurysm at the puncture site, and one delayed hematoma at the SA site. Excluding initial technical failures, the primary patency rates at six and 12 months were 68% and 55%, respectively. Secondary patency rates at six and 12 months were 73% and 59%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Subintimal angioplasty can be accomplished with a high technical success rate. It should be attempted in patients with CLLI as an alternative to more extended surgery, or when surgical treatment is not recommended due to comorbidity or an unfavorable disease pattern.

Usefulness of Abdominal Aortic Calcification for Screening of Peripheral Vascular Disease

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the value of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), as detected on CT, as a predictor of atherosclerotic stenotic disease of the lower extremity arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred three patients who had CT angiography performed for the evaluation of peripheral vascular disease were enrolled in this retrospective study. The volume (mm3) of the AAC was measured on CT. Each lower extremity was divided into 8 segments. The extent of stenosis of the lower extremity artery was manifested as the sum of the stenosis scores for 16 segments (total stenosis score: TSS). The significant stenosis scores (SSS-50 and SSS-75) were defined as the sum of scores for the lower extremity artery segments that had significant stenosis of more than 50% and 75%, respectively. AAC was correlated to the TSS, SSS-50 and SSS-75 with using Spearman's correlation coefficient. The diagnostic performance of AAC for stenosis of a lower extremity artery of more than 50% and 75%, respectively, was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve RESULTS: The Spearman's correlation coefficients were 0.728 (AAC vs. TSS), 0.662 (AAC vs. SSS-50), and 0.602 (AAC vs. SSS-75), respectively. For significant stenosis more than 50% and 75%, the areas under the ROC curve were 0.898 and 0.866, respectively. The cutoff value, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 1030 mm3, 87%, 88%, 89%, 86% and 87% for stenosis more than 50% and 1030 mm3, 87%, 80%, 79%, 88% and 84% for stenosis more than 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Abdominal aortic calcification detected on CT may be a useful predictor of atherosclerotic stenotic disease of lower extremity arteries.

Gadolinium-Enhanced MR Angiogra p hy of Arterial Occlusive in Lower Extremity: Comparison with Conventional Digital Substraction Angiography

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic value of gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography with that of conventional digital substraction angiography for the evaluation of lower extremity arterial occlusive diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 26 patients with symptomatic lower extremity arterial occlusive disease, both conventional digital substraction angiography(DSA) and gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) were performed during the same week. MR angiography was performed using three-dimensional gradient-echo ac-quisition before, and two sequential acquisitions after, the administration of gadolinium(0.2 mmol/kg). In 23 patients, two separate, contiguous areas were scanned using additional doses. In three patients, only one field with a suspicious lesion was scanned. Three radiologists independantly analysed the CE-MRA and DSA find-ings of each vascular segment(20 segments per arterial tree) for the presence of obstructive lesions; the grade assigned was either mild or none (>50 %), stenotic(50 %-99 %),or occlusion(100 %). RESULTS: From among a total of 462 segments, DSA detected 99 which were significantly narrowed (stenosis, 33; occlusion, 66). Using MR angiography, 102 segments(stenosis 39; occlusion, 63)were identified, and 94 lesions (stenosis, 32; occlusion 62) were graded correctly. Seven lesions were overestimated and four were un-derestimated. For the detection of hemodynamically significant stenosis or occlusions using MR angiography, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 95%, 98%, and 98% (G=0.995, P<0.001), respectively. To prove the absence of lesions, we repeated DSA in two patients with arterial spasm due to puncture. Three occluded segments seen on DSA, which revealed intact segments on MR angiography, suggested slow distal flow after reconstitution. CONCLUSION: For the evaluation of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease, the diagnostic value of gadolini-um-enhanced MR angiography is comparable with that of digital substraction angiography. The advantages of the former are the absence of puncture-related spasm and visualization of slow distal flow.

Arterial Occlusive Disease of Lower Extremity: Comparison of Spiral CT Angiography with ConventionalAngiography

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare effectiveness of single acquisition CT and conventional angiography (CA) in grading stenosis in an artery of the lower extremity . MATERIALS AND METHODS: CA and CTA were performed in 12 patients with acclusive arterial disease of the lower extremity. CA extended from the bifurcation site of the abdominal aorta to the popliteal artery, 25-30 seconds after the injection of 120-150ml contrast media by a power injector at the rate of 2.5-3ml/sec via the antecubital vein. Using SSD and MIP methods, the data was reconstructed three-dimensionally. The artery was divided into five segments and the degree of lesion was definedas normal or mild (1-49%), moderate (50-74%), or severe stenosis (75-99%), or occlusion (100%). We retrospectively evaluated and compared the effectiveness of CTA and CA in the detection of each vessel and the grading ofstenosis. RESULTS: Although 11 segments were graded by CA as occluded, only five of these were similarly graded by CTA, and the remaining six were undergraded. The ratio of consistency for grading was 88.5% (46/52) in less thanmild stenosis, and 63.6% (7/11) in moderate or severe stenosis ; if the 11 segments detected only by CTA wereexcluded, the ratio of consistency for occlusion was 100%. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 84.2% (85/101) and whenthe 11 segments were excluded, this was 88.9% (80/90). Because of the capacity of CTA to distinguish vessles with greater than 50% stenosis from those with less than mild stenosis, sensitivity of 86.0%, specificity of 93.2% and accuracy of 89.1% were recorded. If the 11 vessels detected only by CTA were excluded, sensitivity and accuracy would be 91.3% and 92.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: For detecting and grading stenosis in an artery of the lowerextremity, single acquisition CTA is more accurate than its conventional counter part, and we believe that CTA is a useful modality in the planning and follow-up of treatment.

The Usefulness of Three-Dimensional Spiral CT Angiography in the Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Diseases Involving the Arteries of the Lower Extremity

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of three-dimensional spiral CT angiography in the diagnosis and as a guide for the treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower extremity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a recent one-year period, CTA and conventional angiography were performed in 12 patients with suspected ASO. From the upper margin of the third lumbar vertebral body to below the knee joint, helical CT scanning was performed 30-45 seconds after the injection of Ultravist 370(150-180ml) by a power injector at the rate of 2.5-3.0ml/sec via the antecubital vein. The resulting data were reformatted by SSD after reconstruction of 5mm intervals, and CTA was compared with CA for site and degree of stenotic or occlusive lesion. RESULTS: On CTA and CA, twenty-three occlusive lesions above the tibioperoneal artery were detected in 12 patients. On CA, three mild seven moderate and eight severe stenoses were seen, as well as five occlusions. There were three cases of overgrading and three of undergrading. Overall diagnostic accuracy was 73.9%(17/23). Calcifications were detected at on axial CT scanning in the two of three underestimated lesions. Migration of the thrombi was noted in one case. CONCLUSION: CTA may be useful in the evaluation of the arteries of the lower extremities, and valuable in the planning and follow-up of treatment.

Treatment of Peripheral Artery Pseudoaneurysm: Three Case Reports

The pseudoaneurysms are resulted from complication of vascular catheterization, trauma, etc. and recently, the reports on pseudoaneurysms have been increasing. Successful treatment of pseudoaneurysms have been described usingdirect compression guided by color doppler ultrasound, instead of invasive surgical treatment. Authors experienced three cases of pseudoaneurysm ; two resulted from post-catheterization and one from trauma. We successfully treated two post-catheterization cases using C-clamp compression under the color doppler US-guidance. The traumatic case was treated by embolization instead of US-guided compression. We suggest that the compression of pseudoaneurysm using C-clamp under the US-guidance is more useful than hand or probe compression method.

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty of Chronic Arterial Occlusive Disease below the Knee Joint

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) in patients with chronic arterial occlusive disease below the knee joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the results of 36 procedures in 16 patients. There were 15 men and one woman, aged 57-75 years(mean, 62 years). Indications were disabling claudication(SVS/ISCVS grade 1, category 3) in five cases, rest pain(grade 2, category 4) in three cases, and non-healing ulceration or gangrene(grade 3, category 5) ineight cases. PTA was performed by using small vessel balloon catheter of 2-4 mm and 3 mm monorail balloon catheterin tibioperoneal vessels and 5-6 mm balloon catheter in distal popliteal artery and tibioperoneal trunk. Combined thrombolytic therapy with Urokinase was performed in 14 patients. RESULTS: Involved infrapopliteal vessels werefour distal popliteal arteries, 15 tibioperoneal trunks, six anterior tibial arteries, five posterior tibialarteries, and seven peroneal arteries. Technical success was determined when post-PTA angiogram showed less than 30% of residual stenosis. Clinical success was defined as improvement of clinical symptoms, such as disappearance of claudication or rest pain, and healing of ulceration. Technical success was achieved in 30 of 36 arteries(83%). Clinical success was achieved in 12 of 16 patients(75%) at an average follow-up of 13.3 months(range, 2-46 months). Clinical success rate was 100% in grade 1 category 3 patients, 67% in grade 2 category 4 patients, and 63% in grade 3 category 5 patients. Complication included two distal emboli, one vessel rupture, one vessel thrombosis, and one occluding intimal flap. CONCLUSION: PTA was an effective method for treatment of chronicarterial occlusive disease below the knee joint and considered as the procedure of first choice. Severe claudicant(grade 1) should be included in the indication of the tibioperoneal PTA.