Hemodynamic evaluation of transluminal iliac artery balloon dilatation

In order to document the hemodynamic results of transluminal iliac artery balloon dilatation, 23 aortoiliac segments were evaluated before and after treatment. Hemodynamic parameters were: intra-arterial common femoral pressure measurements, indirect ankle pressure measurements and femoral velocity waveform analysis. The segments were divided into group (a) aortoiliac segments with an open superficial femoral artery (n = 8), and group (b) aortoiliac segments with an occluded superficial femoral artery (n = 15). In group (a) all patients were free of symptoms and ankle pressure improved significantly six months after dilatation. Velocity waveform analysis of the common femoral artery did not correlate with this improvement. In group (b) intra-arterial pressure measurements showed improvement in 60% (9/15) after six months. Ankle pressure measurements and velocity waveform analysis did not correlate with the intra-arterial pressure changes. Transluminal iliac artery balloon dilatation of iliac stenosis in patients with an open superficial femoral artery can be evaluated by indirect ankle pressure measurements. In patients with iliac stenosis in combination with occluded superficial femoral arteries intra-arterial pressure measurements are needed to demonstrate hemodynamic improvement.