Long-term results of superficial femoral artery angioplasty.

Short-term results of superficial femoral artery and popliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty have been good, but long-term results and factors influencing long-term patency are less commonly reported. One hundred thirty-seven superficial femoral artery angioplasties with follow-up for 54 months were reviewed. The 4-year patency for stenoses was 61% and for occlusions was 68%. If the initial result was clinically successful, the 4-year patency was not influenced by the quality or patency of runoff or by the length of the occlusion. Nineteen patients returned for redilatation, eight of whom had developed new lesions. Patency was adversely affected in patients with diabetes or with long-segment stenoses. Modifications of equipment and technique that may improve long-term patency rates are discussed.