Have New Advances Changed The Perception Of Certain Vascular Procedures In The Lower Extremity?
Myth: Balloon angioplasty and stenting do not work in the lower extremity. That myth may have been somewhat appropriate in the 1990s. Balloon and stent technology were new and we utilized inadequate cardiac technology for the lower extremities. Technology began to improve between 2000 and 2005, and we have seen the emergence of data reflecting the improved technologies. Over the last two to three years, significant technological advancements and data are available that easily dispel this myth. Adjunctive technologies, including pharmacological support, novel wire and crossing technologies, now make it possible to achieve a CLI procedural success rate of 96 to 97 percent with contemporary balloon and stent technology respectively.There are now refined low profile balloons with lengths up to 200 mm and current dedicated infrainguinal and infrapopliteal stent technology have greatly improved. Improved technology has adequately addressed stent fractures, one of the major problems with sten
