Five-year results of iliac and femoropopliteal angioplasty in diabetic patients.

Results of 127 iliac and femoropopliteal transluminal angioplasties in 97 diabetic patients are presented. Patients who had undergone iliac (n = 70), femoral (n = 41), and popliteal (n = 16) angioplasties for stenoses up to 15 cm long were followed up for 6-60 months. In diabetic patients presenting with only claudication or adequate runoff, the 5-year iliac patency rate was 76% and the femoral patency rate was 60%; these results were comparable with those found in nondiabetic patients. For limb salvage, 3-year patency rates were 66% for iliac, 37% for femoral, and 37% for popliteal angioplasties, and 5-year patency rates were 29% for iliac, 7% for femoral, and 0% for popliteal angioplasties. Severe peripheral ischemia, poor runoff, and diffuse stenoses all had negative effects on angioplasty results.