Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with the Grüntzig balloon catheter

Advancements in Treatment Strategies for Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: A Comprehensive Review

Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) arises from the inability to achieve adequate intestinal blood flow after meals, leading to an imbalance between oxygen and metabolite supply and demand. The true incidence of CMI remains uncertain. However, the occurrence of mesenteric artery occlusive disease (MAOD) is relatively common among the elderly population. Delays in diagnosing CMI can often be attributed to several factors, including the variability in patient symptoms and the range of potential causes for chronic abdominal pain with weight loss. Mikkelson pioneered the introduction of a surgical treatment for occlusive lesions of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in 1957. The inaugural performance of endovascular revascularization (ER) for visceral vessels took place in 1980. The literature has documented two types of endovascular revascularization (ER) methods: percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and primary stenting (PMAS). Despite the limited quality of available evidence, the consensus among experts is strongly in favor of PMAS over PTA alone for the treatment of atherosclerotic mesenteric artery stenosis. There are several key areas of focus for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) treatment. Randomized controlled trials comparing different stent types, such as covered stents versus bare metal stents, are needed to evaluate efficacy, patency rates, and long-term outcomes in CMI patients.

Balloon Angioplasty - The Legacy of Andreas Grüntzig, M.D. (1939-1985)

In 1974, at the Medical Policlinic of the University of Zürich, German-born physician-scientist Andreas Grüntzig (1939-1985) for the first time applied a balloon-tipped catheter to re-open a severely stenosed femoral artery, a procedure, which he initially called "percutaneous transluminal dilatation". Balloon angioplasty as a therapy of atherosclerotic vascular disease, for which Grüntzig and Charles T. Dotter (1920-1985) received a nomination for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1978, became one of the most successful examples of translational medicine in the twentieth century. Known today as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in peripheral arteries or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in coronary arteries, balloon angioplasty has become the method of choice to treat patients with acute myocardial infarction or occluded leg arteries. On the occasion of the 40(th) anniversary of balloon angioplasty, we summarize Grüntzig's life and career in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States and also review the developments in vascular medicine from the 1890s to the 1980s, including Dotter's first accidental angioplasty in 1963. The work of pioneers of catheterization, including Pedro L. Fariñas in Cuba, André F. Cournand in France, Werner Forssmann, Werner Porstmann and Eberhard Zeitler in Germany, António Egas Moniz and Reynaldo dos Santos in Portugal, Sven-Ivar Seldinger in Sweden, and Barney Brooks, Thomas J. Fogarty, Melvin P. Judkins, Richard K. Myler, Dickinson W. Richards, and F. Mason Sones in the United States, is discussed. We also present quotes by Grüntzig and excerpts from his unfinished autobiography, statements of Grüntzig's former colleagues and contemporary witnesses, and have included hitherto unpublished historic photographs and links to archive recordings and historic materials. This year, on June 25, 2014, Andreas Grüntzig would have celebrated his 75(th) birthday. This article is dedicated to his memory.

Early experience with stenting for iliac occlusive disease

OBJECTIVES

To review our experience of iliac artery stenting for occlusive disease.

DESIGN

Prospective study of 50 consecutive patients with iliac occlusive disease, November 1993-November 1996. The indications for stenting were complete iliac occlusion (37) restenosis (four), donor site inflow for bypass grafting (four) and difficult stenoses (> 90% and/or > 5 cm) (five). The majority of patients (41) presented with intermittent claudication.

RESULTS

All 13 stenoses were successfully stented. One occluded but the rest remain patent. There were no other complications. By contrast, it was not possible to place a stent across 10 of the 37 complete iliac occlusions. In this group there were nine major complications, including five patients who required early embolectomy (four femoral, one brachial) and one patient who developed a false aneurysm at the site of the stent. The "intention to treat" primary cumulative patency for iliac occlusions was 65% at 2 years but after excluding technical failures was 88%.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a sharp learning curve and significant complication rate associated with stenting complete occlusions. However, following successful stenting patency rates are around 90% for both iliac stenoses and occlusions.

The pathologic basis of angioplasty

Traditionally it has been said that transluminal angioplasty increases lumen diameter by compression and remodeling of atheromatous material. Recently, a new concept explaining the mechanics of angioplasty was described which challenges the classic concept of Dotter. It was argued that arterial balloon dilatation is achieved by intimal disruption and overstretching of the arterial wall, not by remodeling of atheromatous material.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The radiologist's contribution to the treatment of vascular disease

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is a nonsurgical treatment for vascular disease. It is relatively safe and economical and may be an alternative, or an adjunct, to surgery, or may be helpful where no surgical alternative exists. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is applicable to nearly every system, except the carotid bifurcation plaque.

A case report of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty following failure of femoro-popliteal venous bypass graft

This brief case report illustrates the utility of angioplasty in lower-extremity limb salvage situations that often occur following failure of femoropopliteal bypass grafting, as well as the use of angioplasty in tibial vessels. It also demonstrates that angioplasty of multiple lesions can be successfully achieved at a single sitting.

Resolution of mesenteric angina with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a superior mesenteric artery stenosis using a balloon catheter

A case of resolution of mesenteric angina is reported with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a superior mesenteric artery stenosis, using the Grüntzig technique with a balloon catheter. Technical aspects are described. Short-term follow-up reveals symptomatic relief, disappearance of the abdominal bruit, and normalization of d-xylose absorption.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of peripheral vascular disease: a two-year experience

Over a 23-month period, 172 successful peripheral angioplasties were performed. Life-table analysis gave a two-year patency rate for the total series of 80%. The patency rate for aorto-iliac and femoral-popliteal lesions was 86% and 70%, respectively. Only one late failure occurred in the group of 44 arteries followed for longer than eight months.