Long-segment femoropopliteal stenoses: is angioplasty a boon or a bust?

Analysis of 193 femoropopliteal angioplasties demonstrated patency rates in the stenotic group of 75.5% at 6 months and 54.4% at 54 months. The patency rates for the occlusive group were 93.7% at 6 months and 72.9% at 54 months; these rates were significantly better than those in patients with stenoses. A group of 14 patients with long-segment (greater than 7 cm) stenosis had the highest risk of early failure, with a 6-month patency of 23.1%. After removal of the long-segment stenosis group from the results, there were no significant differences between the long-term patencies for stenotic and occlusive lesions. If angioplasty of long stenoses is attempted, a high initial success rate but early failure should be anticipated.