Endovascular brachytherapy in the prevention of vascular restenosis

Cardiovasc Radiat Med. 2001 Jul-Sep;2(3):130-2. doi: 10.1016/s1522-1865(01)00080-4.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the technical feasibility and efficacy of endovascular brachytherapy for prophylaxis of restenosis after femoropopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

Materials and methods: Ten patients with recurrence of stenosis in the femoropopliteal region underwent PTA followed by endovascular irradiation with Iridium-192 a high-dose rate after-loading technique. We used a single fraction of dose 12 Gy given in 3 mm from the source axis in the stenotic vessel segment.

Results: During follow-up of 59-580 days restenosis occurred in four patients 111, 460, 472 and 580 days after irradiation. All other patients are without restenosis. No radiation-associated side effects were observed.

Conclusions: Endovascular brachytherapy of restenosis in the femoropopliteal region is technically feasible, and may be done as a part of the PTA. These encouraging results open the possibility of reduction of restenosis by the present method.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Angioplasty, Balloon / adverse effects*
  • Brachytherapy*
  • Constriction, Pathologic / prevention & control*
  • Constriction, Pathologic / radiotherapy*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iridium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Postoperative Complications / radiotherapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Iridium Radioisotopes