Limb blood flow measurement in technically successful balloon angioplasty

An isotope limb blood flow technique was used to assess the outcome of technically successful balloon angioplasty. Measurements were made on a total of 120 limbs, before angioplasty and at least once after angioplasty at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 2-5 years. 67% of treated limbs showed a significant improvement in limb blood flow at 3 weeks. At 12 months following angioplasty 43% of limbs still showed an improvement in blood flow compared with the measurement made before angioplasty. However, a number of these limbs showed a significant fall in limb blood flow between 3 weeks and 12 months even though the 3 week and the 12 month flow figures were still greater than those before angioplasty. The degree of initial improvement in blood flow seen at 3 weeks persisted at 12 months after angioplasty without significant fall in only 30% of limbs. In 33% of limbs where the balloon angioplasty was technically successful there was no improvement in blood flow at 3 weeks. 80% of these limbs had further significant untreated disease angiographically, compared with 43% of limbs where there was an increase in limb blood flow.