Endovascular Treatment As The First Choice Of Treatment Decreases The Need For Bypass Without Increasing Amputations

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Dr. Samuel Wilson of the University of California, Irvine and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach, California, undertook a study to answer the question of whether endovascular treatment of peripheral vascular disease can decrease the need for open bypass surgery without causing more amputations.

There are many trials that support both sides of this debate.

Dr. Wilson retrospectively reviewed the effects of implementing more frequent endovascular intervention for four years (2003-2006) at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Long Beach, California.

During this interval angioplasty became the preferred method for the treatment of infrainguinal vascular disease. Open bypass procedures were performed for patients with limb - threatening ischemia and extensive lesions that could not be treated by angioplasty.

The results showed that patients who had a femoral to distal bypass were more likely to have an amputation than those undergoing angioplasty.

Dr. Wilson concluded, "Increasing the frequency of angioplasty for infrainguinal vascular lesions did not increase the number of major lower extremity amputations in our stable patient population. We reserve open bypass for a fewer and fewer number of patients. We now believe that endovascular techniques should be attempted first."

VEITH SYMPOSIUM - New York, November 19th to 23rd

Now in its fourth decade, VEITH SYMPOSIUM provides vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists and other vascular specialists with a unique and exciting format to learn the most current information about what is new and important in the treatment of vascular disease. The 5-day event features rapid-fire presentations from world renowned vascular specialists with emphasis on the latest advances, changing concepts in diagnosis and management, pressing controversies and new techniques.

VEITHsymposium is sponsored by Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.

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Source
Pauline T. Mayer
www.ptmhcm.com