Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravascular ultrasonic angioplasty in treating atherosclerotic totally occluded peripheral arteries.
Methods: Percutaneous ultrasonic angioplasty was applied on 39 cases with peripheral atherosclerotic total occlusion under fluoroscopic guidance. The recanalization, clinical efficacy and complications were observed.
Results: 38 (97.4%) of the 39 cases achieved successful recanalization in (1157 +/- 376) seconds, with a mean residual stenosis of (32 +/- 11)%. The technical successful rate (residual stenosis < 50%) was 82.1% (32/39). Clinical improvement at different degrees was seen in 38 cases after ultrasonic angioplasty. The patency rates 24 hours, 30 days, 90 days and 180 days after the ultrasonic angioplasty were 100%, 94.7%, 89.5% and 81.6% respectively. The complications related to ultrasonic angioplasty included hemoglobinuria in 9 cases and distal embolization in 1 case.
Conclusion: Ultrasonic angioplasty appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of atherosclerotic totally occluded peripheral arteries.