[The effect of heparan sulfate on percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the vessels supplying the lower extremities]

Abstract

Background: The condition of patients after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is influenced among others by the subsequent development of restenoses and reocclusions. The objective of the submitted work was to assess whether oral administration of heparan sulphate can influence the development of restenoses after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the pelvic and femoropopliteal region.

Methods and results: 102 patients (78 men and 24 women, age 42-86 years) were divided into four groups. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed either on account stenosis in the aortoiliac or femoropopliteal area. (The original number was 115 patients, 13 patients were eliminated: the reasons were technical failure of the intervention procedure, reocclusion, the patient was lost from records.) As antiaggregant the patients were given acetylsalicylic acid, 250 mg/day: patients included in the heparan group were given heparan sulphate (Hemovasal, Manetti and Roberts) 100 mg/day for a period of 3 - 4 months. As compared with controls, the patients treated with heparan sulphate had within the 3 - 4 month period a significantly longer claudication distance (p < 0.05), a higher Doppler index (p < 0.05) and maximal blood flow in the feet.

Conclusions: Heparan sulphate administration to patients after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty on account of stenosis of the aortoiliac or femoropopliteal area improves some angiological parameters which can suggest a slighter tendency of early restenosis.