Use of intravascular ultrasound improves long-term clinical outcome in the endovascular management of atherosclerotic aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine whether the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during balloon angioplasty and stenting of atherosclerotic aortoiliac occlusive lesions improved long-term clinical outcome. IVUS has been previously shown to be more accurate than arteriography in evaluating the deployment of stents in both peripheral and coronary arteries. Incomplete stent deployment has been anecdotally identified as a cause of restenosis or occlusion of a treated lesion.

Use of intravascular ultrasound in the endovascular management of atherosclerotic aortoiliac occlusive disease.

Background: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been described as interesting technology in search of a clinical application by some and by others as a valuable diagnostic tool for many endovascular interventions. Its clinical usefulness has yet to be fully defined. When used during endovascular interventions, it can provide structural and diagnostic information, assess effectiveness of the therapy, and identify treatment-related complications.