Peripheral arterial occlusive disease, with a prevalence of 29% in patients with an increased cardiovascular risk profile, represents a significant clinical picture in the population. It requires continuous evaluation and further development of therapeutic strategies. The essential diagnostic steps of this disease consist of a complete medical history, a thorough physical examina-tion, as well as a further diagnostic apparatus by ABI determination, color-coded duplex sonography and possibly following CT angiography or MR angiography.
A large number of possible conservative and interventional procedures are available for the treatment of affected patients. In addition to a general risk reduction, the attending physician must select the appropriate therapy very carefully considering the individual case in close coordination with the patient taking into account the currently valid guidelines. Due to its anatomical and physical characteristics, the interventional treatment of lesions in the region of the popliteal artery, which was analyzed in this study, poses a particular challenge in sympto-matic PAD.
Three groups were examined and compared for the most commonly used standard interventi-onal procedures:
• PTA with blain-old-balloon
• PTA with drug-luting-ballon
• directional atherectomy
From 2009 to 2014 186 interventions of the popliteal artery were performed at the German Heart Center Munich and at the Klinikum rechts der Isar. These interventions have been documented in the angiological database of the research center.
The defined follow-up data was collected after 6 months from a total of 139 patients and af-ter 12 months from 118 patients. The data was evaluated for the achievement of the primary endpoint, the occurrence of target lesion revascularization at 12 months, the secondary endpoint, all-cause mortality, and the occurrence of target lesion revascularization at 6 months.
In the statistical analysis, which was carried out using XLStat, a homogeneous patient and lesion collective was found, which was largely evenly distributed among the 3 groups. It turned out that there is no significant difference between the groups in terms of reaching the primary endpoint with an overall high technical and procedural success rate.
There was also no statistically significant difference between the individual groups in terms of reaching the secondary endpoint. However, it can be seen that especially uncomplicated, short-term lesions have better long-term results. Unfortunately the bidirectional atherectomy can not be subjected to valid statistical analysis due to the small number of cases. It can be statistically proven that the simultaneous presence of coronary heart disease is associated with an increased mortality and may possibly serve as an indicator of a serious and complicating disease course. The obtained data coincide with the current study situation. However further clinical studies, especially considering the newest stent technologies, are necessary to be able to offer optimal treatment to the affected patients.
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Peripheral arterial occlusive disease, with a prevalence of 29% in patients with an increased cardiovascular risk profile, represents a significant clinical picture in the population. It requires continuous evaluation and further development of therapeutic strategies. The essential diagnostic steps of this disease consist of a complete medical history, a thorough physical examina-tion, as well as a further diagnostic apparatus by ABI determination, color-coded duplex sonography and possibly foll...
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