Long-term results of superficial femoral artery angioplasty

Short-term results of superficial femoral artery and popliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty have been good, but long-term results and factors influencing long-term patency are less commonly reported. One hundred thirty-seven superficial femoral artery angioplasties with follow-up for 54 months were reviewed. The 4-year patency for stenoses was 61% and for occlusions was 68%. If the initial result was clinically successful, the 4-year patency was not influenced by the quality or patency of runoff or by the length of the occlusion. Nineteen patients returned for redilatation, 8 of whom had developed new lesions. Patency was adversely affected in patients with diabetes or with long-segment stenoses. Modifications of equipment and technique that may improve long-term patency rates are discussed.