Long-term clinical outcome after endovascular treatment in patients with intermittent claudication due to iliofemoral artery disease.

BACKGROUND The natural history of patients with intermittent claudication (IC) has been reported, but little is known about that of claudicant patients after endovascular therapy (EVT). METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 271 consecutive patients (mean age, 68+/-6 years, 82% men) with IC were treated with EVT for a de novo iliofemoral lesion. Primary patency was defined as treated vessel without re-stenosis and repeat revascularization. Major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) included death, myocardial infarction and stroke. Median follow-up interval was 11.7+/-2.9 years. During the follow-up period, 132 patients died (cardiovascular death; 66%). Major amputation was performed in 4 patients. Primary patency rate was 82%, 79%, and 78% at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Freedom from all-cause death (MACE) was 73% (69%), 58% (49%), and 43% (34%) at 5, 10 and 15 years. On multivariate Cox regression, Trans-Atlantic Inter-society Consensus grade C/D, and involvement of femoropopliteal lesion were independent predictors of primary patency. Independent predictors for overall survival were age, left ventricular dysfunction (ejection fraction <40%), coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and below-the-knee disease. CONCLUSIONS Regardless of good clinical patency of treated vessel in patients with IC, survival was poor. Independent predictors were different between long-term patency and late mortality.