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Improved patient selection for angioplasty utilizing color Doppler imaging
P Collier1, G Wilcox, D Brooks
1Department of Surgery, Sewickley Valley Hospital, Pennsylvania 15143.
American Journal of Surgery
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Color Doppler imaging accurately identifies patients with limiting calf claudication who can benefit from percutaneous angioplasty. This approach spares patients from unnecessary arteriography procedures.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Intermittent calf claudication is typically managed nonoperatively.
- Arteriography is usually reserved for incapacitating symptoms requiring intervention.
- Improvements in percutaneous angioplasty prompt reevaluation of treatment strategies for less severe cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate color Doppler imaging as a screening tool for selecting patients with limiting calf claudication for percutaneous angioplasty.
- To determine if color Doppler imaging can reduce the need for arteriography in selected patients.
Main Methods:
- Color Doppler imaging was used to screen 62 patients with limiting calf claudication over 2 years.
- Patients identified as candidates for angioplasty proceeded to arteriography.
- Percutaneous angioplasty was performed for suitable lesions.
Main Results:
- 36 patients with long occlusions were excluded from arteriography.
- 23 localized stenoses and 3 short occlusions were identified and confirmed by angiography.
- Successful angioplasty dilatation was achieved in 24 out of 26 treated patients, with no complications.
Conclusions:
- Color Doppler imaging is an accurate method for selecting patients with limiting calf claudication who are candidates for percutaneous angioplasty.
- This screening approach can help avoid unnecessary arteriograms in patients unlikely to benefit from intervention.