Reprinted article "Exercise training versus angioplasty for stable claudication. Long and medium term results of a prospective, randomised trial".

OBJECTIVES: To compare percutaneous transluminal angioplsty (PTA) against exercise training in the treatment of stable claudication. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised trial. MATERIALS: Fifty-six patients with unilateral, stable, lower limb claudication assessed prior to randomisation, at 3 monthly intervals for 15 months, and at approximately 6 years follow-up. Thirty-seven patients were available for long term review. OUTCOME MEASURES: Ankle/brachial pressure index (ABPI), treadmill claudication and maximum walking distances, percentage fall in ankle systolic pressure after exercise. RESULTS: Significant increases were seen in ABPI in the patients treated with PTA at all assessment to 15 months. However in terms of improved walking performance, the most significant changes in claudication and maximum walking distance were seen in the exercise training group. At long term follow-up, there was no significant difference between the groups. Subgroup analysis by angiographic site of disease showed greater functional improvement in those patients with disease confined to the superficial femoral artery treated by exercise training. The overall prognosis for the whole group of patients was benign, with only two (4%) undergoing amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training confers a greater improvement in claudication and maximum walking distance than PTA, especially in patients with disease confined to the superficial femoral artery.

Anatomical variants of the profunda femoris artery: an angiographic study.

The bifurcation of the common femoral artery (CFA) into superficial and profunda femoris arteries (PFA) and the branching pattern of the PFA are subject to considerable normal anatomical variation. These variation patterns were assessed on normal lower limb angiograms of 94 adult patients. The main pattern (in 81% of patients) consisted of both medial and lateral circumflex arteries arising directly from a PFA situated lateral or posterolateral to the femoral artery. Previous studies of arterial variations in this region and the relevant embryology are reviewed. Relevance to angiographic procedures of the lower limb is discussed.

Exercise training versus angioplasty for stable claudication. Long and medium term results of a prospective, randomised trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) against exercise training in the treatment of stable claudication. DESIGN: Prospective, randomised trial. MATERIALS: Fifty-six patients with unilateral, stable, lower limb claudication assessed prior to randomisation, at 3 monthly intervals for 15 months, and at approximately 6 years follow-up. Thirty-seven patients were available for long term review. OUTCOME MEASURES: Ankle/brachial pressure index (ABPI), treadmill claudication and maximum walking distances, percentage fall in ankle systolic pressure after exercise. RESULTS: Significant increases were seen in ABPI in the patients treated with PTA at all assessment to 15 months. However in terms of improved walking performance, the most significant changes in claudication and maximum walking distance were seen in the exercise training group. At long term follow-up, there was no significant difference between the groups. Subgroup analysis by angiographic site of disease showed greater functional improvement in those patients with disease confined to the superficial femoral artery treated by exercise training. The overall prognosis for the whole group of patients was benign, with only two (4%) undergoing amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training confers a greater improvement in claudication and maximum walking distance than PTA, especially in patients with disease confined to the superficial femoral artery.

Deterioration following delay in performing femoral angioplasty.

It is not uncommon for a delay to occur between assessment arteriography and angioplasty attempt. We reviewed retrospectively the arteriograms of 61 patients where such a delay occurred to assess progression of superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease in this interval. A mean delay of 14.6 days (range 2-60 days) occurred between arteriogram and angioplasty attempt. Arteriographic deterioration was found in six of 61 patients (9.8%) and in three this precluded angioplasty. Of the six patients four had initial arteriography via the same side as the SFA disease whilst two had arteriography via the contralateral femoral approach. We discuss the aetiology of this phenomenon and suggestions are made to reduce its incidence.

Is percutaneous transluminal angioplasty better than exercise for claudication? Preliminary results from a prospective randomised trial.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of intermittent claudication despite the lack of controlled studies. The aim of this study was to compare PTA with supervised exercise therapy for patients with arterial occlusive disease judged suitable for PTA at angiography. Patients were assessed before treatment commenced and at three monthly intervals afterwards. Assessment included measurement of resting ankle brachial pressure indices (ABPI), and claudicating and maximum walking distances on a treadmill up a 10 degrees incline. Twenty patients were randomised to receive PTA and 16 exercise. The groups were similar in age, sex, smoking habits and arteriographic pattern of disease. In the PTA group two patients had angioplasties that were technically unsuccessful and two other patients subsequently required surgery. One patient in the exercise group subsequently had a PTA. After PTA, mean ABPI were significantly improved at 3, 6 and 9 months (P less than 0.01) without a corresponding significant increase in mean maximum walking distances. However in the exercise group despite no increase in mean ABPI, mean maximum walking distances increased progressively, with significant increases at 6, 9 and 12 months (P less than 0.01).

Grading for angioplasty.

An increasing proportion of patients with lower limb arterial disease are being treated by transluminal angioplasty. There have been various estimates of the numbers of potentially treatable patients, but none have been accompanied by detailed selection criteria. Based on patients' arteriograms, we present a clear grading system of suitability for angioplasty aimed at allowing ready interpretation and comparison of data. We have used these grades to examine prospectively the suitability for angioplasty of 118 consecutive patients undergoing arteriography for the first time. Thirty-five per cent of patients with claudication, and 30% of those with rest pain or trophic lesions appeared suitable for angioplasty. Forty-five per cent of claudicants and 40% patients with rest pain or trophic lesions could have their symptoms relieved by appropriate angioplasty of aortoiliac disease alone in the presence of distal disease, or of isolated femoropopliteal lesions. These figures have important implications for the provision of interventional radiological services throughout the United Kingdom.

Intraoperative transluminal balloon dilatation permits simpler safer reconstructive surgery.

The clinical and radiological features of seven patients in whom intraoperative transluminal balloon dilatation was used, are described. Indications and advantages of the technique are discussed.

Urography prior to prostatectomy.

As part of the pre-operative assessment for prostatectomy, the routine intravenous urogram continues to be requested by many practitioners. One hundred and ten patients being considered for prostatectomy underwent, prospectively, intravenous urography and trans-abdominal ultrasound. This paper specifically examines the respective contribution to management of these investigations. In 34% of patients, management was influenced in some way. This could have been achieved by ultrasound and plain abdominal radiograph alone. Additional intravenous urography would not have affected the clinical management of any patient.

The risk of diagnostic radiation of the newborn.

The amount of diagnostic radiation received by neonates at a large maternity hospital in 1982 was calculated. The risk of inducing neoplasia is unlikely to be greater than one in 280,000 for each radiograph of chest or abdomen. Provided that the exposure of the newborn to radiation at the John Radcliffe Hospital is typical of the rest of the country, and excluding cardiac catheterisation and computed tomography, we estimate that at most one to two cases of malignant disease per year may be caused by diagnostic radiation in the United Kingdom. Genetic risks appear to be negligible. The risks of not using radiography in newborn patients outweigh the risks of inducing malignant or genetic disease.

A simple method for limiting angioplasty catheter balloon pressures.

Percutaneous angioplasty catheter balloons may rupture if over-inflated. Balloon inflation pressures are not always measured. We describe a simple and inexpensive method for limiting balloon inflation pressures, using no additional equipment.