BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) presents low morbidity and mortality rates; however, mid and long-term patency rates remain controversial. Cryoplasty was developed as an attempt to resolve the main problems related to angioplasty: dissection, recoil and restenosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical results and mid-term patency in patients treated with cryoplasty of femoropopliteal arterial disease. METHODS: Patients with indication for endovascular lower limb revascularization according to Fontaine and Rutherford clinical classifications and to TASC II anatomical classification underwent cryoplasty using the PolarCath® peripheral dilatation balloon catheter. Clinical results and anatomical patency were analyzed by duplex ultrasound scan at follow-up, RESULTS: Ten patients with femoropopliteal arterial disease were treated with cryoplasty. Nine patients presented with intermittent claudication and one patient had an ischemic ulcer. Three patients had class B lesions and seven patients had class A lesions according to the TASC II. Initial technical success was achieved in all patients, and one patient needed stenting during the procedure due to dissection. One patient died due to complications in the postoperative period. Nine patients were followed up for 31.6 months on average (18-35), with primary patency rate of 77.7% and secondary patency rate of 100%. All patients were asymptomatic at the end of this period (Fontaine stage I). CONCLUSIONS: Cryoplasty is a safe technique for the treatment of femoropopliteal arterial disease that presents low morbidity rates, short-term and mid-term results comparable to conventional angioplasty, as well as potential advantages of lower dissection, recoil and mid-term restenosis rates.
cryotherapy; angioplasty, balloon; femoral artery
