Effect of weight change on progression of knee OA structural features assessed by MRI in overweight and obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of weight change on progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) structural features by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in overweight and obese women without clinical knee OA. DESIGN: 347 participants from the Prevention of Knee Osteoarthritis in Overweight Females (PROOF) study were classified with latent class growth analysis into a subgroup with steady weight (n = 260; +0.1 ± 4.0 kg, +0.2 ± 4.4%), weight gain (n = 43; +8.6 ± 4.0 kg, +9.8 ± 4.1%) or weight loss (n = 44; -9.0 ± 7.2 kg, -9.8 ± 7.5%) over 2.5 years. Baseline and follow-up 1.5T MRIs were scored with MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) for progression of bone marrow lesions (BMLs), cartilage defects, osteophytes, meniscal abnormalities, meniscal extrusion and synovitis. Associations between subgroups and change in MRI features at knee-level were assessed using adjusted Generalized Estimating Equations. RESULTS: 687 knees from 347 women (median age 55.2 years, interquartile range (IQR) 5.5, median body mass index (BMI) 31.2 kg/m2, IQR 5.3) were analyzed. Progression of synovitis was 18% in the weight gain vs 7% in the stable weight subgroup (OR 2.88; 95%CI 1.39-5.94). The odds for progression of patellofemoral (PF) BMLs and cartilage defects increased with 62% (OR 1.62; 95%CI 0.92-2.84) and 53% (OR 1.53; 95%CI 0.92-2.56) in the weight gain vs the stable weight subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: In overweight and obese women, progression of synovitis increased more than 2.5 times in a weight gain compared to a stable weight subgroup over 2.5 years. Large effect sizes were also found for the difference in progression of PF BMLs and PF cartilage defects between the weight gain and stable weight subgroup.

Baseline meniscal extrusion associated with incident knee osteoarthritis after 30 months in overweight and obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between baseline meniscal extrusion and the incidence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) after 30 months in a high-risk population of overweight and obese women, free of clinical and radiological KOA at baseline. METHODS: 407 middle-aged overweight women (body mass index - BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2) were evaluated at baseline and after 30 months of follow-up. Meniscal extrusion was defined as grade ≥2 on MRI according to MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS). The primary outcome measure was KOA after 30 months follow-up, defined using the following criteria: either incidence of radiographic KOA (Kellgren & Lawrence grade 2 or higher), or clinical osteoarthritis (OA) according to the American College of Radiology (ACR) criteria, or medial or lateral joint space narrowing (JSN) of ≥1.0 mm. Using generalized estimating equations (GEE), we determined the association between knees with and without meniscal extrusion and both outcomes, corrected for the baseline differences. RESULTS: 640 knees were available at baseline of which 24% (153) had meniscal extrusion. There was a significantly higher incidence of KOA according to the primary outcome measure in women with meniscal extrusion compared to those without extrusion (28.8%, odds ratio - OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.53, 3.73). A significantly higher incidence was found for the development of radiographic KOA (12.4%, OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.11, 6.13) and medial JSN (11.8%, OR 3.19, 95% CI 1.59, 6.41). Meniscal extrusion was not significantly associated with clinical KOA and lateral JSN. CONCLUSION: Meniscal extrusion was associated with a significantly higher incidence of KOA, providing an interesting target for early detection of individuals at risk for developing KOA.

Reducing progression of knee OA features assessed by MRI in overweight and obese women: secondary outcomes of a preventive RCT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preventive effects of a randomized controlled trial on progression of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) features of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in overweight and obese women. DESIGN: In a 2 × 2 factorial design, 2.5 years effects of a diet and exercise program and of glucosamine sulphate (double-blind, placebo-controlled) were evaluated in 407 middle-aged women with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27 kg/m(2) without clinical signs of knee OA at baseline (ISRCTN 42823086). MRIs were scored with the MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS). Progression was defined for bone marrow lesions (BMLs), cartilage defects, osteophytes, meniscal abnormalities and meniscal extrusion. Analyses on knee level were performed over the four intervention groups using adjusted Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). RESULTS: 687 knees of 347 women with mean age 55.7 years (±3.2 SD) and mean BMI 32.3 kg/m(2) (±4.2 SD) were analyzed. Baseline prevalence was 64% for BMLs, 70% for cartilage defects, 24% for osteophytes, 66% for meniscal abnormalities and 52% for meniscal extrusions. The diet and exercise program + placebo intervention showed significantly less progression of meniscal extrusion compared to placebo only (12% vs 22%, OR 0.50, 95% CI [0.27-0.92]). The interventions did not result in significant differences on other OA MRI features. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects at high risk for future knee OA development, a diet and exercise program, glucosamine sulphate and their combination showed small and mainly non-significant effects on the progression of OA MRI features. Only progression of meniscal extrusion was significantly diminished by the diet and exercise program.

Association of urinary biomarker COLL2-1NO2 with incident clinical and radiographic knee OA in overweight and obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between urinary biomarker Coll2-1NO2 (uColl2-1NO2) and incident knee OA after 2.5 years follow-up in middle-aged overweight and obese women at high risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Data were used from PROOF, a randomized controlled trial with 2.5 years follow-up evaluating the preventive effects of a diet and exercise program and oral glucosamine sulphate (double blind and placebo controlled), on development of incident knee OA in women with body mass index ≥ 27 kg/m(2) without signs of knee OA at baseline. Baseline and 2.5 years uColl2-1NO2 concentrations were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Primary outcome measure was incidence of knee OA in one or both knees, defined as incidence of either Kellgren & Lawrence grade ≥2, joint space narrowing of ≥1.0 mm or knee OA according to the combined clinical and radiographic ACR-criteria. We used binary logistic regression for the association analyses. RESULTS: 254 women were available for analyses. At 2.5 years follow-up, incident knee OA was present in 72 of 254 women (28.3%). An inversed association was found between baseline uColl2-1NO2 and incident knee OA at 2.5 years (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.99). The concentration at 2.5 years and the change in concentration over 2.5 years did not show significant associations with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In overweight and obese middle-aged women, not higher but lower baseline uColl2-1NO2 concentration was significantly associated with an increased risk for incident knee OA. This interesting but counterintuitive outcome makes further validation of this biomarker warranted.

Multi-slice computed tomographic angiography for stenosis detection in forearm hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulas.

PURPOSE: A method of diagnosing the extent and severity of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenoses is multislice computed tomographic angiography (MS-CTA). The aim of this prospective study was to assess the accuracy of MS-CTA for the detection and grading of stenoses in AVF in comparison to digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which was used as the gold standard of reference. METHODS: Fifteen hemodialysis (HD) patients with dysfunctioning forearm AVF were included. These AVFs were evaluated by both DSA and MS-CTA and were read in a prospective, blinded manner by two radiologists experienced in vascular imaging. RESULTS: ROC analysis revealed areas under the curve of 0.90+/-0.07 for observer I and 0.87+/-0.08 for observer II at a stenosis cut-off level of >or=50% diameter reduction. The combined results for MS-CTA showed sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of 82%, 98%, 82% and 98% for stenoses>or=50% and 71%, 99%, 77% and 98% for stenoses>or=75%. Inter-observer agreement for the detection of stenoses>or=50% diameter reduction was 0.70 and 1.0, for MS-CTA and DSA, respectively. CONCLUSION: MS-CTA can provide good visualization of forearm HD access AVF and has moderate sensitivity, but high specificity for the detection of flow-limiting stenoses.

Herniation of the gall bladder through the abdominal wall.

We present a case of an 81-year-old woman, without medical history, with a swelling in the right lateral abdominal wall. Ultrasound and multislice CT were sufficient to confirm the diagnosis of a herniated gall bladder through the abdominal wall. This is the first case in which MRI proved to be a useful modality to exclude malignant characteristics and revealed an accurate differentiation between the gall bladder and the different layers of the abdominal wall. The gall bladder, including three stones, was removed laparoscopically. Histopathological research revealed signs of a chronic cholecystitis. Herniation of the gall bladder through the abdominal wall is rare. It was previously described in a few cases, but they were associated with the presence of an incisional hernia or carcinoma infiltration.

Haemobilia 2 weeks after a low thoracic stab wound.

BACKGROUND: Haemobilia occurs in only 1.2-5% of patients with accidental liver trauma. We describe an unusual case 2 weeks after penetrating thoracic injury. CASE OUTLINE: A 27-year-old man underwent laparotomy for hepatic bleeding after a low thoracic stab wound. Two weeks later rectal blood loss occurred. CT scan and angiography revealed intrahepatic contrast extravasation at the previous stab wound site. Coils were successfully placed into two branches of the right hepatic artery. DISCUSSION: Haemobilia should be considered in patients presenting with gastrointestinal blood loss after liver injury. It is diagnosed with angiography and preferably treated by embolisation.

The benefit of STent placement and blood pressure and lipid-lowering for the prevention of progression of renal dysfunction caused by Atherosclerotic ostial stenosis of the Renal artery. The STAR-study: rationale and study design.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is associated with progressive loss of renal function and is one of the most important causes of renal failure in the elderly. Current treatment includes restoration of the renal arterial lumen by endovascular stent placement. However, this treatment only affects damage caused by ARAS due to the stenosis and ensuing post-stenotic ischemia. ARAS patients have severe general vascular disease. Atherosclerosis and hypertension can also damage the kidney parenchyma causing renal failure. Medical treatment focuses on the latter. Lipid-lowering drugs (statins) could reduce renal failure progression and could reduce the overall high cardiovascular risk. The additional effect on preserving renal function of stent placement as compared to medical therapy alone is unknown. Therefore, the STAR-study aims to compare the effects of renal artery stent placement together with medication vs. medication alone on renal function in ARAS patients. METHOD: Patients with an ARAS of > or = 50% and renal failure (creatinine (Cr) clearance < 80 mL/min/1.73 m2) are randomly assigned to stent placement with medication or to medication alone. Medication consists of statins, anti-hypertensive drugs and antiplatelet therapy. Patients are followed for 2 yrs with extended follow-up to 5 yrs. The primary outcome of this study is a reduction in Cr clearance > 20% compared to baseline. This trial will include 140 patients.

Evaluation of directional atherectomy studied by intravascular ultrasound in femoropopliteal artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) before and after directional atherectomy (DA) in the treatment of femoropopliteal artery stenosis. METHODS: In 12 patients with 16 stenoses IVUS was performed before and immediately after an angiographically successful DA. This was defined as a diameter reduction (DR) < or = 50%, which was calculated using the minimal lumen diameter compared with the diameter of a nearby "normal" segment. In the presence of residual plaque on IVUS an additional DA was performed. Endpoints studied were DR < or = 30% on IVUS compared with the IVUS findings of the angiographically normal reference segment, or when no additional atherosclerotic material could be removed by further DA passages. RESULTS: Additional DA (mean 1.6 per lesion) had to be performed in all patients. Initial DA increased the cross-sectional free lumen area (FLA) from 3.8 +/- 2.0 mm2 to 8.1 +/- 2.7 mm2 (p = 0.0004). Additional DA increased FLA to 9.3 +/- 2.3 mm2 (p = 0.002) after the second passage and to 9.8 +/- 2.4 mm2 (p = 0.09) after the final DA run. The plaque area (PLA) before DA decreased from 18.1 +/- 4.2 mm2 to 15.4 +/- 4.8 mm2 (p = 0.002) after the first passage, and to 13.5 +/- 5.0 mm2 (p = 0.004) and 12. 8 +/- 4.4 mm2 (p = 0.07) after the second and final DA runs, respectively. PLA of the reference segment (9.5 +/- 5.7 mm2) was significantly smaller (p = 0.006) than the final PLA of the treated lesion, indicating a large amount of retained plaque. As a result of DA there was an increase in the area bordered by the medial layer, i. e., the total vessel area (from 21.9 +/- 4.7 mm2 to 23.0 +/- 4.7 mm2), significantly in eccentric and soft lesions. On IVUS, dissection and plaque rupture after the final passage was seen in 12 of 16 stenoses; two dissections were seen on the completion angiogram. After the final passage in all stenoses except three, the DR with IVUS was < or = 30%. CONCLUSION: Lumen enlargement following DA is predominantly due to plaque excision. Vessel expansion combined with plaque excision varies in different stenoses and is an important factor in eccentric and soft lesions. Despite additional DA considerable plaque remains.

Balloon angioplasty combined with primary stenting versus balloon angioplasty alone in femoropopliteal obstructions: A comparative randomized study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether balloon angioplasty combined with stenting (ST) of symptomatic femoropopliteal disease would provide better results compared with balloon angioplasty alone (BA). METHODS: Fifty-one patients were randomized between ST (24 patients) and BA (27 patients). Follow-up comprised clinical and hemodynamic assessment and color-flow duplex ultrasound examinations. RESULTS: Residual stenosis (> or = 30% diameter reduction) occurred in three BA patients, but not in the ST patients. By life-table analysis the cumulative rate of clinical and hemodynamic success after 1 year with ST was 74% (SE 9%) and for those with BA 85% (SE 7%) (p = 0.25). The primary patency at 1 year assessed by color-flow duplex ultrasound was 62% (SE 9%) for ST-treated patients and 74% (SE 8%) for BA patients (p = 0.22). Occlusion occurred in five ST patients (21%) compared with two BA patients (7%). CONCLUSION: ST does not improve clinical and hemodynamic outcome compared with BA. Moreover, the occlusion rate in ST-treated patients is higher.

Patterns of recurrent disease after recanalization of femoropopliteal artery occlusions.

PURPOSE: In this prospective study we investigated the site, occurrence, and development of stenoses and occlusions following recanalization of superficial femoral artery occlusions. METHODS: Recanalization of an occluded femoropopliteal artery was attempted in 62 patients. Follow-up examinations included clinical examination and color-flow duplex scanning at regular intervals. Arteriography was used to determine the localization of the recurrent disease relative to the initially occluded segment. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 23 months (range 0-69 months) 14 high-grade restenoses, indicated by a peak systolic velocity ratio >> 3.0, were detected by color-flow duplex scanning. Occlusion of the treated segment occurred in 11 patients. The cumulative 3-year primary patency rate for high-grade restenoses and occlusions combined was 44% (SE 9%). By arteriographic examination the site of restenosis was localized in the distal half of the treated vessel segment in 16 of 21 cases. CONCLUSION: Most restenoses and occlusions occurred during the first year and most disease developed at the previous intervention site. The site of restenosis is more frequently in the distal part of the initially treated segment, a finding that may have therapeutic implications.

The Günther temporary inferior vena cava filter for short-term protection against pulmonary embolism.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinically the Günther temporary inferior vena cava (IVC) filter. METHODS: Eleven IVC filters were placed in 10 patients. Indications for filter placement were surgical pulmonary embolectomy in seven patients, pulmonary embolism in two patients, and free-floating iliofemoral thrombus in one patient. Eight filters were inserted from the right femoral approach, three filters from the left. Follow-up was by plain abdominal radiographs, cavography, and duplex ultrasound (US). Eight patients received systemic heparinization. Follow-up, during 4-60 months after filter removal was by clinical assessment, and imaging of the lungs was performed when pulmonary embolism (PE) was suspected. Patients received anticoagulation therapy for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Ten filters were removed without complications 7-14 days (mean 10 days) after placement. One restless patient pulled the filter back into the common femoral vein, and a permanent filter was placed. In two patients a permanent filter was placed prior to removal. One patient developed sepsis, and one an infection at the insertion site. Clinically no recurrent PE developed with the filter in place or during removal. One patient had recurrent PE 7 months after filter removal. CONCLUSION: The Günther temporary IVC filter can be safely placed for short-term protection against PE. The use of this filter is not appropriate in agitated or immunocompromised patients.

B-mode and colour-flow duplex ultrasonography: a useful adjunct in diagnosing scrotal diseases?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of ultrasonography (US) and colour-flow duplex ultrasonography (CFD) as routine investigations in the diagnosis of scrotal pathologies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The imaging techniques were applied to 215 consecutive patients with scrotal complaints. The diagnosis of a urologist (D1, made from the patient's history, physical examination and laboratory results) and that of the radiologist (D2, using US and CFD) were compared with the "gold standard' (D3, the operative findings and course of the disease). The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic pathways (D1, D2) were determined statistically and compared with D3. RESULTS: The final diagnoses (D3) were testicular torsion (13 patients), torsion of the appendix testis (5), epididymitis (42), inguinal hernia (7), tumour (11), trauma (9), hydrocele (46), epididymal cyst (37), orchitis (10), varicocele (46) and other diagnoses (8). Using D1, the urologist missed seven diagnoses, of which one was a patient with a testicular torsion combined with an inguinal hernia, and one a patient with a tumour. Using US and CFD (D2), the radiologist missed five diagnoses, including one patient with combined testicular torsion and inguinal hernia. CONCLUSION: For the diagnosis of scrotal disorders, the basic clinical evaluation usually provides the correct diagnosis. However, US and CFD are useful adjuncts which cause a minimal burden to the patient and that in most cases will lead to the correct diagnosis, especially with important diagnoses like testicular torsion, when US and CFD should be performed immediately. If this does not provide a clear diagnosis, the patient should be explored surgically.

Comparison of balloon angioplasty and Simpson atherectomy for lesions in the femoropopliteal artery: angiographic and clinical results of a prospective randomized trial.

PURPOSE: This study involves a prospective randomized trial comparing clinical and angiographic results of balloon angioplasty (BA) and Simpson directional atherectomy (DA) in patients with short lesions in the femoropopliteal artery causing symptoms of intermittent claudication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients were treated with BA and 38 with DA. Procedural complications were seen in eight patients. Residual stenoses immediately after the procedure with between 30% and 50% diameter reduction (DR) were observed in three patients after BA and in five patients after DA. In all other patients, residual stenosis was less than 30% DR. Two study end-points during a 2-year follow-up were used: the angiographic occurrence of restenosis with a DR of 50% or greater or the recurrence of symptoms. RESULTS: Clinical success after 2 years, according to the criteria of the Society for Vascular Surgery/International Society for Cardiovascular Surgery, was seen in 79% of the BA patients and 56% of the DA patients (P = .07). The 2-year primary angiographic patency rates were 67% in patients treated with BA and 44% in patients treated with DA (P = .06). The secondary angiographically determined patency rates were 80% and 65%, respectively (P = .15). CONCLUSION: Simpson atherectomy is an interventional technique to treat arterial lesions in the femoropopliteal artery with an acceptably low complication rate. The clinical and angiographic results of DA and BA are comparable. DA should not be used to replace BA for routine treatment of short femoropopliteal lesions.

The value of duplex surveillance after endovascular intervention for femoropopliteal obstructive disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to assess prospectively whether serial Duplex examination was useful in identifying impending failure after endovascular interventions of the femoropopliteal arteries. SETTING: Non-university hospital. Prospective clinical study. METHODS: 124 Patients were successfully treated by endovascular procedures during a 5 year period. The follow-up was by colour-flow Duplex examination at fixed intervals. At similar intervals clinical examination, including ankle blood pressure measurement was performed to assess the clinical/haemodynamic status of the patients according to the SVS/NAISCVS guidelines. For the diagnosis of impending failure the Duplex criterion was a peak systolic velocity ratio > 2.5 and the clinical/haemodynamic criterion was a level < +2. Actual failure of the vascular procedure was defined as the occurrence of an occlusion in the treated arterial segment or a recurrent stenosis causing symptoms severe enough to require a reintervention. No prophylactic reinterventions were performed on the basis of abnormal Duplex findings alone. RESULTS: Abnormal Duplex findings indicating restenosis were observed in 52 patients. Duplex abnormalities predicted treatment failure with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 75%, while clinical/haemodynamic assessment had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 90%. The hypothetical management outcome if Duplex surveillance had been used as a basis for reintervention was assessed. It appeared that only one patient with failure would have received a redo endovascular procedure at the time he had a restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical/haemodynamic assessment was more useful for the follow-up of endovascular interventions than Duplex surveillance.

Comparison of intravascular ultrasonography and intraarterial digital subtraction angiography after directional atherectomy of short lesions in femoropopliteal arteries.

PURPOSE: In this study a group of patients undergoing directional atherectomy for localized occlusive disease in the femoropopliteal arteries, the value of intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) to improve the efficacy of plaque removal was evaluated. The findings obtained by IVUS were correlated with intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (IA DSA) performed during the procedure. In addition, the patency rates at follow-up in patients undergoing atherectomy with and without IVUS were compared. METHODS: Forty patients were treated by atherectomy because of segmental lesions of the femoropopliteal arteries causing intermittent claudication. Twenty-two patients underwent atherectomy, guided by biplane IA DSA only, and 18 patients were also studied by IVUS. The groups were divided by means of consecutive presentation, IVUS being used in the second part of the study period. The median follow up was 16 months (range, 0 to 40 months). Variables, measured by IVUS during the procedure, were the minimal transverse luminal diameter (MTLD) and the free luminal area. Patency rates at follow-up were determined by regular color flow duplex examinations. Color-flow duplex criteria for occlusions were absence of arterial flow and, for stenosis, a ratio of peak systolic velocities at the diseased segment and a normal segment of 2.5 or greater. RESULTS: Qualitative IVUS assessment prompted additional atherotome passages because of insufficient atheroma removal or nonaesthetic appearance of the vessel lumen in 15 of the 18 patients who underwent this examination. Only in four of these patients would abnormalities at IA DSA have been a reason for further attempts of atheroma removal. As for the quantitative findings during AT, after a first series of atherectomy passes the mean MTLD of the reference lesion resulted in an increase of the MTLD from a mean of 3.3 +/- 0.7 mm to 3.7 +/- 0.6mm (p = 0.001), and the free luminal area increased from a mean of 11.2 +/- 4.8 mm2 to 12.5 +/- 4.5 mm2 (p = 0.001). However the occurrence of restenosis during follow-up was comparable in patients monitored during the intervention by IVUS (1-year patency rate, 57%) and patients not studied by IA DSA only (1-year patency rate, 64%). In addition, the presence of an intimal dissection or a plaque rupture at IVUS examination did not predict restenosis. CONCLUSIONS: The application of IVUS resulted in an improved luminal enlargement by directional atherectomy but not in a better 1-year patency rate.

Congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformation: a rare cause of sciatica.

A patient with a large congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformation presenting with irradiating pain to the leg, most likely due to sciatic nerve compression, is described. Congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformation are rare lesions, especially in males. Diagnosis was established by arteriography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan. Surgical resection of the AVM relieved our patient of all symptoms. However, endovascular therapy, either as primary treatment or followed by conventional surgery is the treatment of choice. Pelvic arteriovenous malformations should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained sciatica.

The cost-effectiveness of treatment of short occlusive lesions in the femoropopliteal artery: balloon angioplasty versus endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short- and long-term outcome and the costs involved in balloon angioplasty (BA) and thromboendarterectomy (EA) of short femoropopliteal occlusions. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one lower limbs underwent EA from 1980 until 1988 and BA was performed in 62 limbs between 1988 and 1993. The two groups of patients were well matched for age, gender, cardiovascular risk-factors and the length of the femoropopliteal occlusions. In addition to clinical follow-up colour-Duplex scanning and intraarterial DSA were performed. Complete occlusions or significant restenoses were considered failure of the reconstruction. Actual costs were calculated by the hospital economic administration. RESULTS: The 3-year primary patency in EA patients was 87% and in the BA group 44% (p = 0.0002). Redo procedures were required in seven (17%) patients with EA and in 24 (39%) with BA. Patency after redo procedures, i.e. tertiary patency, was 94% and 74% after 3 years in the EA and BA group respectively (p = 0.14). The mean cost of the primary treatment was higher in EA than in BA patients (p < 0.0001). Mean total treatment costs including the expenses involved with redo procedures were also higher in the group with EA than with BA (p < 0.001). However, the cost-effectiveness expressed as the total costs per month tertiary patency, was not significantly different for the two treatment groups; in patients with EA the ratio of total treatment costs and tertiary patency was NFl 309, and in patients with BA NFl 287. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the general view the expenses associated with surgical treatment are comparable with those of an endovascular procedure, if the costs are expressed as a cost-to-patency ratio.

Recanalization of femoropopliteal occlusive lesions: a comparison of long-term clinical, color duplex US, and arteriographic follow-up.

PURPOSE: To assess the merits of clinical examination, color-flow duplex ultrasound (US), and arteriography in the follow-up of patients who have undergone femoropopliteal artery recanalization for occlusive disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Recanalization of the occluded femoropopliteal artery was attempted in 62 patients. Follow- up included clinical examination, ankle-brachial blood pressure measurement, and duplex US scanning at 4-month intervals during the first year, at 6-month intervals during the second year, and one a year thereafter. Failure of recanalization included substantial restenosis or reocclusion of the treated segment. Arteriography was performed at the end of the first year or earlier if recurrence was suspected. Agreement of clinical findings with those of duplex US and those of arteriography was determined with kappa statistics; a kappa value of greater than 0.75 represented excellent agreement. RESULTS: Recanalization was technically successful in 51 patients (82%). Clinical patency was 63% (standard error [SE], 6%) after 1 year, 56% (SE, 7%) after 2 years, and 46% (SE, 9%) after 3 years. When technical failures were included, the patency rate at duplex US was 58% (SE, 6%) after 1 year, 40% (SE, 7%) after 2 years, and 33% (SE, 8%) after 3 years. The patency rate at arteriography was 53% (SE, 7%) after 1 year, 33% (SE, 7%) after 2 years, and 30% (SE, 8%) after 3 years. When arteriographic examination was considered the standard of reference, diagnostic accuracy in the identification of recurrent lesions was 94% at duplex US (kappa = 0.88) and 74% at clinical examination (kappa = 0.51). CONCLUSION: Rates of restenosis or occlusion detected at follow-up with duplex US and arteriography were comparable. However, clinical examination alone helped detect fewer cases of recurrent disease.