Successful recanalization of long femoro-crural occlusive disease after failed bypass surgery

Complex Peripheral Arterial Disease in a Case of Multilevel Lesions Treated With Sequential Angioplasty

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the buildup of calcium and fatty deposits in the arterial walls (atherosclerosis). This is an important clinical issue, specifically in cases with multilevel lesions. A patient underwent sequential angioplasty treatment for major PAD, which was characterized by multilevel lesions affecting both the infrapopliteal arteries. The proximal vessels and infrapopliteal vessels are mostly observed to be affected by PAD, thus the patient likely has PAD localized to the lower leg. In the femoropopliteal segment, lower extremity artery or aortic atherosclerotic occlusive disease can lead to significant outcomes. Severe claudication and pain during rest in both legs were observed in a patient with a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. With an angiography, the superficial femoral, popliteal, and tibial arteries have been shown to have major stenoses and occlusions. A progressive treatment was used because of the complexity of the lesions initiating with endovascular revascularization of the superficial femoral artery. The popliteal and tibial arteries were then repaired with angioplasty and stent placement. After the treatment, the patient's symptoms significantly improved, including elimination of their rest discomfort and claudication. Measurements of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) indicated that the affected limbs' perfusion was refined. Six months later, a follow-up angiography revealed intact vessels with no restenosis. This case report shows the successful outcome of recurrent angioplasty in curing complicated multilevel PAD, giving symptomatic relief and maintaining limb perfusion. This research is required to assess the long-term outcomes and longevity of this kind of treatment in patient populations that are comparable to others.

Comparison of ante-versus retrograde access for the endovascular treatment of long and calcified, de novo femoropopliteal occlusive lesions

To compare antegrade versus retrograde recanalization, in terms of procedural time, radiation and contrast agent exposure, number and total length of implanted stents and procedural complications, in long and calcified, de novo femoropopliteal occlusions. We performed retrospective matching of prospectively acquired data by lesion length, occlusion length and lesion calcification by the peripheral arterial calcium scoring system (PACSS) score in patients who were referred for endovascular treatment due to symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). Forty-two consecutive patients with antegrade and 23 patients with retrograde after failed antegrade recanalization were identified (mean lesion length = 32.1 ± 6.9 cm; mean occlusion length = 24.6 ± 7.7 cm; PACSS score = 3.25 ± 0.91). 23% of the patients had intermittent claudication, whereas 77% exhibited critical limb ischemia (CLI). Patients who underwent retrograde versus antegrade recanalization required a significantly lower number of stents (0.9 ± 1.0 versus 1.8 ± 1.4, p = 0.01) and a lower total stent length (6.8 ± 8.5 cm versus 11.7 ± 9.9 cm, p < 0.05) in the interest of more extensive coverage of the lesions using drug coated balloons (DCB) (28.5 ± 12.0 cm versus 18.2 ± 16.0 cm, p = 0.01). No re-entry device was required with the retrograde versus 9 of 42 (21%) with the antegrade recanalization group (p = 0.02). The rate of complications due to retrograde puncture was low (one patient with hematoma and one with distal pseudoaneurysm, both managed conservatively). In long and calcified femoropopliteal occlusions, the retrograde approach is associated with a lower number of re-entry devices and stents and with more extensive lesion coverage with DCB, in the interest of costs and possibly long-term patency.German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00015277.