Efficacy and utilization of intravascular ultrasound in office-based lower extremity endovascular interventions for peripheral arterial disease

Objectives Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a uniquely objective but underutilized imaging modality in the interventional treatment of peripheral arterial disease treatment. IVUS has been shown to improve device size selection and diagnose occult pathology difficult to see with routine angiography. We hypothesize that the use of IVUS in lower extremity endovascular intervention improves accuracy in stent and balloon size selection and minimizes contrast use. Methods This is a retrospective case series performed at a single-institution outpatient center by two vascular surgeons from July 2016 through July 2017. We identified 94 total IVUS-assisted procedures. We collected data regarding demographics, balloon and stent size, IVUS-determined vessel diameter, pre-procedure and post-procedure ABI values, and contrast used during the procedure. An independent core laboratory was further utilized to characterize all IVUS and angiographic size vessel measurements. Results For the 94 lower extremity IVUS-assisted interventions, the average patient age was 70 +/- 9 years old, with an average contrast use of 37.1 mL of Omnipaque 300. There was substantial improvement in pre- and post-procedure ABI (0.7 +/- 0.23 to 0.94 +/- 0.21). On analysis of average intraluminal IVUS vessel diameter to balloon angioplasty used, we had a correlation in size of 0.96 +/- 0.16 in our series. Additionally, in eight instances IVUS allowed for identification of a flow-limiting dissection with subsequent stenting. Conclusions Routine use of IVUS offers a powerful diagnostic paradigm that has the potential to significantly decrease contrast use and to improve objectivity in choosing appropriate vascular tools to maximize intra-procedural efficacy. The discovery of adverse findings not initially noticed on angiography further reinforces the value of IVUS utilization.