Gender does not influence outcomes after iliac angioplasty

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the potential influence of gender on iliac angioplasty outcomes. All iliac angioplasty procedures performed at a tertiary care center from 1994 to 1999 were reviewed. One hundred four angioplasties with or without stenting were performed in 44 women (56 limbs) and 40 men (48 limbs). Age and atherosclerotic risk factors were similar in men and women. Iliac angioplasty was performed for limb salvage in 41% of patients (39% female vs. 44% male; p = 0.65). There were no differences in degree of stenosis, lesion length, or initial angioplasty site. Female iliac arteries were more likely to be occluded (21% vs. 6%; p = 0.03); mean iliac artery luminal diameter was smaller in women than in men (6.5 +/- 0.5 mm vs. 8.2 +/- 0.6 mm; p < 0.001). After a median follow-up of 13 months, there were no significant differences in 2-year primary patency, endovascular primary-assisted patency, or limb salvage rates between women and men. Despite having smaller iliac arteries and a higher incidence of arterial occlusion before treatment, women had outcomes similar to those of men after iliac angioplasty. The current results support the initial use of angioplasty to treat common and external iliac artery occlusive disease in both women and men.