The value of duplex sonography after peripheral artery angioplasty in predicting subacute restenosis

The purpose of this study was to determine if abnormal findings on duplex sonographic examination after peripheral artery angioplasty correlate with the subsequent recurrence of a stenosis.

We used duplex sonography to examine 35 stenoses in 23 patients within 48 hr after the patients had angioplasty to treat these stenoses. Patients were followed up for 3 years by using one or more of the following: assessment of signs and symptoms, monitoring of peripheral pulses, pulse volume recordings, and angiography. Life tables were constructed to compare long-term patency with the presence of abnormal findings seen on duplex sonograms. Abnormal findings at the dilated segment included a blood-flow velocity greater than 120 cm/sec or a residual elevated velocity ratio greater than 1.4 or 2.0 immediately after angioplasty.

Twelve (34%) of 35 angioplasty sites showed recurrent stenosis before 36 months. Patency at 24 months was calculated for velocities less than 120 cm/sec vs velocities of 120 cm/sec or greater (41% vs 68%), for velocity ratios less than 1.4 vs ratios of 1.4 or greater (63% vs 57%), and for velocity ratios less than 2.0 vs ratios of 2.0 or greater (54% vs 74%). We found no significant difference in patency between those patients with normal findings and those with abnormal findings on duplex sonographic examination after angioplasty.

Abnormal findings on duplex sonograms obtained immediately after peripheral angioplasty cannot be used to predict subacute restenosis.