Short (1-10 cm) Superficial Femoral Artery Occlusions: Results of Treatment with Excimer Laser Angioplasty

Journal Article · Tue Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2002 · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S00270-002-1864-6· OSTI ID:21083411

Steinkamp, H J; Wissgott, C; Rademaker, J ^[1]; Scheinert, D ^[2]; Werk, M ^[1]; Settmacher, U ^[3]; Felix, R ^[1]

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1. Department of Radiology, Charite Campus Virchow Klinikum, Humboldt University Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, D-13353 Berlin (Germany)
2. Medizinische Klinik II mit Poliklinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen-Nuernberg, Ostliche Stadtmauerstrasse 29, D-91054 Erlangen (Germany)
3. Department of Surgery, Charite Campus Virchow Klinikum, Humboldt University Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, D-13353 Berlin (Germany)

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and long-term results after laser angioplasty of short occlusions of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). Methods: In a prospective trial in 312 patients with short occlusions of the SFA excimer laser angioplasty for recanalization was applied. The average occlusion length of the SFA was 7.5 cm (range 1-10 cm). The recanalization attempt was done using either a cross-over technique from the contralateral femoral artery(278 patients), antegrade technique (16 patients) or transpopliteal technique(18 patients). Results: Percutaneous transluminal laser angioplasty (PTLA) produced successful recanalization of the SFA in 286 of 312 patients (91.7%). In 26 patients (8.3%) recanalization was not possible.The reason for the unsuccessful PTLAs was obstructing calcified material n = 8) which was resistant to laser application. In nine cases obstructing calcifications resulted in positioning of the laser catheter in subintimal tissue or perforation of the SFA. In another four patients there was an aberrant anatomy of the SFA which resulted in a direct vessel injury after advancing the laser catheter. In five patients subintimalrecanalization failed. After a follow-up period of 36 months there was a primary, primary assisted and secondary patency rate of 49.2%, 76.5% and 86.3%.Conclusion:Excimer laser angioplasty of short occlusions of the SFA is a feasible procedure with a low failure rate.Long-term results are promising but additional interventions are required inmost patients to achieve a patency rate of 86.3% after 3 years. Further studies are needed to compare the clinical outcome of PTLA and PTA in short occlusions of the SFA.

• OSTI ID: 21083411
• Journal Information: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Journal Name: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 25; ISSN 0174-1551; ISSN CAIRDG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANATOMY
ARTERIES
EXCIMER LASERS
FAILURES
INJURIES
PATIENTS
PERFORATION