Bailout procedures during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of superficial femoral artery occlusive disease

Background Though uncommon, complications of endovascular angioplasty and stenting may have devastating outcomes that can threaten limb and life. Adequate awareness of these complications will allow to achieve excellent clinical outcomes. Results Endovascular intervention was successful in treatment of most of distal SFA complications with limited use in flush ostial complications; residual stenosis ≥ 30%, flow-limiting dissection, perforation or rupture; 100% in group (2) vs 50% in group (1) but thrombosis; 75% of distal SFA lesions were treated endovascularly vs 40% of flush ostial lesions; X 2 = 12.7, P = 0.02. Emergency surgery as a bailout was used for most ostial lesion complications: residual stenosis ≥ 30%, flow-limiting dissection, and perforation or rupture; 50% in group (1) vs 0% in group (2); X 2 = 20.1, P = 0.01. Conclusion Bailout procedures are procedures used to save the limb or the patient. Evolving endovascular strategies embrace new technologies in an attempt to improve the safety and efficacy of revascularization procedures for lower extremity arterial occlusive disease.