[Peripheral and coronary angioscopy: its correlation with endovascular procedures]

The efficacy of any method of transluminal angioplasty has been evaluated with angiography, this can show the major anatomic results. Angioscopy can detect by direct observation, the induced changes in the vessel wall morphology after the recanalization method. We studied 5 coronary arteries and 9 peripheral arteries with total occlusion in 7, and the other 7 with more than 75% of obstruction. All of them were evaluated with angiography and angioscopy, before and after the transluminal angioplasty. Eleven of the arteries were treated by transluminal ultrasound angioplasty, we obtained recanalization in 90% of them, in 6 (55%) of this we found angioscopic evidence of dissection in variable degrees. Two cases were treated only with balloon angioplasty, and the angioscopy image was of dissection too. In the only case of laser angioplasty we observed dark brown coloration in the treated lesion suggesting carbonization changes. The initial angiography analysis did not suggest the presence of complication of the atheroma plaque. However in 21% of the cases the angioscopy inspection demonstrated and hemorrhagic dye of the endothelium, and thrombosis in situ in 29%. We no found correlation in angiography and angioscopy aspect in 25% of the cases. Some of the endothelial alterations that can not be detectable by angiography, can be demonstrated by angioscopy, this changes could improve the appreciation of any recanalization method results, that could suggest its possible immediate and late complications.