بررسي ضايعات آترواسكلروز در شريانهاي آيورت شكمي - لگن و اندام هاي تحتاني

EVALUATION OF THE ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS IN AORTA, LOWER LIMB AND PELVIC ARTERIES

Background and Objectives: Atherosclerosis is affected by some related causative factors, diseases or smoking habits. The aim of this study was to reveal atherosclerotic lesions in aorta, lower limb and pelvic arteries as well as to study some steno sing factors of these arteries, such as increase in cholesterol level of blood, smoking habits or diseases like diabetes. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and seven patients referred to the Department of Radiology, Imam Khomeini Hospital for angiography of the abdominal aorta and pelvic or lower limb arteries were enrolled in this study. These patients underwent angiography after being evaluated by their medical records for cardiopulmonary disorders. Arterial puncture was done via common femoral artery by using Branule needle, guide wire, contrast material and other arterial means. For aortic arteriography, the catheter was introduced in this artery and radiographies were taken after the contrast been injected. However, for lower limb arteriography purpose, the catheter was put into the common femoral artery and after injection of the contrast material, radiographies were taken including the whole limb, i.e. from the thigh up to the toes. Results: Out of 207 atherosclerotic patients referred for angiography, 129 cases had other contributing diseases such as diabetes. Of these, 12 patients were treated and others were not treated enough. During this study, patients were also involved by Buerger, and multiple myeloma. Patients with the history of surgical operations on the pelvis or lower limb were assessed as well. Conclusion: As this study reveals that almost all of the patients had high level of blood cholesterol, and 92 of these also had smoking habit, to decrease the number of patients involved by atherosclerosis it is suggested to reduce the causative factors such as high blood cholesterol level and prevent contributing diseases like diabetes and smoking habits.