Subintimal angioplasty for the treatment of chronic ischemia with arteriosclerosis occlusions in the lower extremity

Objective To assess the technical feasibility, patency and outcomes of subintimal angioplasty (SIA) for treatment of the lower extremity arteriosclerosis occlusions. Methods During the period from December 2003 to August 2008, 122 lower extremities with arteriosclerosis occlusions (median length, 10.25 cm;range, 4.5 to 28 cm) were treated on an intention-to-cure basis with SIA. Twenty-three lower extremities had disabling claudication and ninety-nine had limb-threatening ischemia. Patient history, demographics, procedural details, complications, and follow-up information were collected and analyzed. Patency, limb salvage, sustained improvement in claudication was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results The technical success rate of SIA was 83%. Following successful SIA, the mean ankle-brachial index increased from 0.19±0.11 to 0.67±0.29 (P<0.01). Primary patency at 12 and 24 months was 54%±5% and 45%±4% respectively, the clinical effective rates (rates of limb salvage and improvement in claudication) at 12 and 24 months were 82%±5% and 79%±4% respectively. No serious complications occurred. Conclusion In a selected group of patients, SIA is feasible with a high technical success rate and the clinical effective rates are satisfactory, there were no severe complications. SIA is a good treatment alternative in patients suffering from chronic ischemia with arteriosclerosis occlusions in the lower extremity. Key words: Arterial occlusive diseases; Angioplasty