Objectives: To report results of subintimal angioplasty (SA) of superficial femoral artery occlusions and to compare these results with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of similar lesions.
Design: Prospective study.
Patients: In the period from June 2002 to August 2006, 73 SA procedures were performed in 71 patients and 75 PTA procedures were performed in 75 patients.
Methods: All cases treated with SA or PTA for superficial femoral artery occlusions were prospectively registered and reviewed. Assessments of comorbidities, indication for procedure, run-off, occlusion length, calcification of the artery and graft patency were recorded.
Results: The technical success rate of SA was 87.7% versus 81.3% for PTA. Primary patency rates in the SA group at 1, 6, 12, 24 months were respectively 84.9+/-4.2, 71.2+/-5.1, 68.5+/-5.3 and 65.8+/-5.2%; in the PTA group - 81.3+/-4.4, 45.3+/-5.7, 42.7+/-5.6 and 38.7+/-5.5% respectively. At the same time-points primary assisted patency rates were in SA group 84.9+/-4.2, 83.6+/-4.2, 71.2+/-5.2 and 68.5+/-5.3%; and in the PTA group 81.3+/-4.4, 62.5+/-5.5, 44+/-5.6 and 42.7+/-5.6%. Calcification was associated with SA failure. There were no amputations in the follow up of either SA or PTA procedures.
Conclusion: Results from subintimal angioplasty of superficial femoral artery occlusions was superior to the results of PTA.