Liangxi Yuan1, Junmin Bao2, Zhiqing Zhao3, Qingsheng Lu4, Xiang Feng5, Zaiping Jing6. 1. Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, PR China. Electronic address: liangxiyuannau@163.com. 2. Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, PR China. Electronic address: junminbao@hotmail.com. 3. Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, PR China. Electronic address: zhiqingzhaooah@163.com. 4. Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, PR China. Electronic address: qingshengluul@163.com. 5. Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, PR China. Electronic address: xiangfenggne@163.com. 6. Department of Vascular Surgery, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, PR China. Electronic address: xueguankyy@163.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to retrospectively investigate whether percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is efficacious and safe for the treatment of atypical thromboangiitis obliterans (ATAO) in arteries with occlusion of long segments. METHODS: From January 2011 to July 2013, 9 consecutive male patients with ATAO involving the external iliac and superficial femoral arteries were treated by PTA alone, without stent placement. Their mean age was 35 years (range, 24-47 years). Preoperative symptoms included severe claudication (n = 2), ischemic pain at rest (n = 4), and ischemic ulcers (n = 3). No any infrapopliteal interventions were performed besides the proximal intervention. RESULTS: Technical success using PTA was achieved in 100% of cases with occluded arteries, and there were no periprocedural complications. Clinical improvement was observed postoperatively with a significant improvement in Rutherford categories (range, 2-3) and significantly increased ankle-brachial indexes, from 0.59 ± 0.14 to 0.91 ± 0.17 (p < 0.01). Ischemic ulcers in three patients healed 3-5 months postoperatively. No recurrent ischemic ulcer was observed, and no amputation was performed in these patients. At follow-up examination (average, 20.9 months), restenosis of the superficial femoral artery was diagnosed in only one patient who continued with a conservative medication regimen and refused additional interventional treatment because his physical symptoms were minor. CONCLUSION: PTA might be feasible and safe for the treatment of ATAO patients, and appears to provide positive clinical results at an average follow-up of 20.9 months.
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to retrospectively investigate whether percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is efficacious and safe for the treatment of atypical thromboangiitis obliterans (ATAO) in arteries with occlusion of long segments. METHODS: From January 2011 to July 2013, 9 consecutive male patients with ATAO involving the external iliac and superficial femoral arteries were treated by PTA alone, without stent placement. Their mean age was 35 years (range, 24-47 years). Preoperative symptoms included severe claudication (n = 2), ischemic pain at rest (n = 4), and ischemic ulcers (n = 3). No any infrapopliteal interventions were performed besides the proximal intervention. RESULTS: Technical success using PTA was achieved in 100% of cases with occluded arteries, and there were no periprocedural complications. Clinical improvement was observed postoperatively with a significant improvement in Rutherford categories (range, 2-3) and significantly increased ankle-brachial indexes, from 0.59 ± 0.14 to 0.91 ± 0.17 (p < 0.01). Ischemic ulcers in three patients healed 3-5 months postoperatively. No recurrent ischemiculcer was observed, and no amputation was performed in these patients. At follow-up examination (average, 20.9 months), restenosis of the superficial femoral artery was diagnosed in only one patient who continued with a conservative medication regimen and refused additional interventional treatment because his physical symptoms were minor. CONCLUSION: PTA might be feasible and safe for the treatment of ATAO patients, and appears to provide positive clinical results at an average follow-up of 20.9 months.