Cutting balloon angioplasty of the popliteal and infrapopliteal vessels for symptomatic limb ischemia.

Options for lower limb percutaneous revascularization are limited especially for complex vessel obstruction. Cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) has been described in the coronary literature as effective for complex disease. We analyzed our peripheral vascular database and report procedural outcomes along with the clinical success at a mean of 1-year follow-up in 73 patients with symptomatic lower limb ischemia undergoing CBA. CBA was successfully completed in all 73 patients (93 vessels; 100%) with predilation necessary in 4% of vessels. Severe intimal dissection or inadequate hemodynamic result necessitated in adjunctive stenting in 20%. There were no incidents of vessel perforation or surgical target vessel revascularization. One patient (1.5%) died during the periprocedural period due to renal failure. After mean follow-up of 1 year (6-21 months), 89.5% of threatened limbs were salvaged. CBA is a safe and feasible option for the treatment of popliteal and infrapopliteal vessels. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.