Iliac artery patency before and immediately after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: assessment with time-of-flight MR angiography.

Abstract

To assess the efficacy of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography of iliac arteries before and immediately after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). In 14 patients with 22 diseased iliac artery segments (external or common), axial two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography was performed. Images were reconstructed with a maximum-intensity-projection (MIP) algorithm. MR angiography was performed 1-4 days after diagnostic digital angiography and 6-24 hours after PTA. Findings obtained before and immediately after PTA were compared for number and location of significant (ie, > 50%) stenoses, length and diameter of balloon to be employed, and diameter of the stenotic artery after PTA. Linear regression analysis was performed. Sensitivity and specificity of MR angiography for determination of significant stenoses were 95% and 97%, respectively. Before PTA, balloon dimensions depicted on MR angiograms and digital angiograms were well correlated (r = .76, P < .05). After PTA, MR angiograms and digital angiograms provided similar findings in all but one case. MR angiography helped determine if PTA is indicated and depicted iliac artery patency after PTA.