Renal function after endovascular intervention: in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Arteriosclerosis of the legs is an important health issue. Increasing numbers of patients suffering from this condition undergo percutaneous angioplasty. However, contrast administration during this procedure may cause acute and chronic renal failure. This thesis demonstrates that patients with intermittent claudication undergoing percutaneous angioplasty develop renal failure more often than patients receiving walking therapy. It is also shown that one in eight patients (13%) develop acute renal failure following percutaneous angioplasty with contrast medium. Alternative treatment methods are explored in order to prevent these complications. In this study, patients undergo ultrasound-guided percutaneous angioplasty without contrast medium for the first time. The results show that this method is safe and effective.