BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of a lower limb arterial segment is a well-established treatment for suitable lesions for critical or noncritical lower limb ischemia. Our aim was to define the inflammatory response after PTA by measuring inflammatory markers. METHODS: Twenty-five patients having PTA were compared with 20 patients having angiography alone. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured sequentially. The difference between postprocedure and preprocedure baseline levels were compared statistically between angiography alone and PTA. Patients were followed up to 1 year after the procedure, and the failure rate of PTA was noted. RESULTS: IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in PTA patients at 1 hr after PTA (p < 0.05), and the IL-6 level only was significantly higher at 24 hr post-PTA (p < 0.05) compared to angiography alone (Mann-Whitney test). IL-8 and IL-10 levels did not differ significantly in the PTA group. At 1 year after the procedure, 45% of PTAs had failed. There was no statistically significant correlation between failed PTA and inflammatory response. CONCLUSION: PTA appears to cause a significant inflammatory response compared to angiography alone. This demonstrates a systemic manifestation of localized ischemia/reperfusion injury. Further investigation of the inflammatory response due to ischemia/reperfusion injury and its correlation with restenosis is recommended.
BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of a lower limb arterial segment is a well-established treatment for suitable lesions for critical or noncritical lower limb ischemia. Our aim was to define the inflammatory response after PTA by measuring inflammatory markers. METHODS: Twenty-five patients having PTA were compared with 20 patients having angiography alone. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured sequentially. The difference between postprocedure and preprocedure baseline levels were compared statistically between angiography alone and PTA. Patients were followed up to 1 year after the procedure, and the failure rate of PTA was noted. RESULTS:IL-6 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in PTA patients at 1 hr after PTA (p < 0.05), and the IL-6 level only was significantly higher at 24 hr post-PTA (p < 0.05) compared to angiography alone (Mann-Whitney test). IL-8 and IL-10 levels did not differ significantly in the PTA group. At 1 year after the procedure, 45% of PTAs had failed. There was no statistically significant correlation between failed PTA and inflammatory response. CONCLUSION: PTA appears to cause a significant inflammatory response compared to angiography alone. This demonstrates a systemic manifestation of localized ischemia/reperfusion injury. Further investigation of the inflammatory response due to ischemia/reperfusion injury and its correlation with restenosis is recommended.