[The reduction of the extent of vascular lesions during angioplasty by the use of a sheath]. / Reduktion des Ausmasses von Gefässläsionen im Rahmen der Angioplastie bei Gebrauch einer Schleuse.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To document the protection of the vessel using an introducer sheath. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In eleven in situ specimens we compared in the inguinal vessel the macroscopic and histologic trauma to the vascular wall during antegrade percutaneous balloon dilatation either without or with a sheath. RESULTS: Significant differences we observed regarding both the puncture site configuration and the puncture hole border, which were evaluated macroscopically. During the histological assessment we found only small intimal trauma in the puncture track in the group where a sheath had been used. Severe intimal damages and the media showed tears if no sheath had been used (100/36% vs. 0/64%). CONCLUSION: It is evident that using a sheath during angioplasty reduces the risk of intimal damage and, consequently, of complications such as recurrent haematoma, stenosis at the puncture site or formation of aneurysms due to the puncture.