Prediction of outcome after femoropopliteal balloon angioplasty by intravascular ultrasound

To evaluate intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) as a control procedure after femoropopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), and compare it with arteriography. Descriptive study. Arteriographic and intravascular ultrasound data obtained from 18 patients (20 limbs) undergoing PTA of the superficial femoral or popliteal artery. The degree of stenosis, the diameter and area of the lumen and the morphological changes in the plaque were related to the short-term patency of the intervention, as evaluated by duplex scan and ankle brachial index. Fifteen arteries remained patent. Two occlusions and two stenoses developed during the first 3 months after the intervention and one occlusion occurred after 1 year. The following IVUS parameters were related to a favourable patency: presence of calcification, dissection or plaque rupture and residual stenosis of less than 70%. The arteriographically determined diameter reduction did not show predictive value. This study shows that in contrast to arteriography, IVUS revealed parameters predictive for patency following PTA.