Angioplasty for the treatment of visceral ischemia.

PURPOSE

To evaluate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of visceral ischemia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Over a 14-year period, 25 focal visceral artery stenoses were treated with PTA in 16 patients with acute or chronic visceral ischemia. Thirteen patients were women and three were men, with a mean age of 64.7 years (range, 54-79 years). PTA was performed in seven celiac arteries, 17 superior mesenteric arteries, and one inferior mesenteric artery.

RESULTS

PTA was technically successful in 14 of 16 patients (88%). Two patients were lost to follow-up. Nine of 12 patients (75%) demonstrated primary patency with relief of clinical symptoms at a mean follow-up of 2.3 years (range, 0.3-5 years). The remaining three patients underwent successful repeat PTA for recurrent symptoms. There was one postprocedural death, and one patient subsequently underwent successful surgical bypass for recurrent visceral ischemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Angioplasty of the visceral arteries may provide relief for select patients with intestinal ischemia, but redilation may be required in some patients.