Endofibrosis of iliac arteries in high-performance athletes: diagnostic approach and minimally invasive endovascular treatment
  • Title: Endofibrosis of iliac arteries in high-performance athletes: diagnostic approach and minimally invasive endovascular treatment
  • Open Access: Nee
  • Language: English
  • Year: 2006
  • DOI/URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-004-0202-6
  • Publication Date: 2006-10-01
  • Journal: Springer - CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology
  • Authors:

    Athanasios D. Giannoukas, Viktor Berczi, Unnikrishnan Anoop, Trevor J. Cleveland, Jonathan D. Beard and Peter A. Gaines 

  • Pubmed ID: 16565800

The aim of this article is to report our experience in the diagnosis of two cases of iliac artery endofibrosis or arteriopathy, a rare entity occurring in high-performance athletes, presenting with intermittent claudication (right-sided in both) after maximal exercise. External iliac artery endofibrosis or arteriopathy is a likely diagnosis in competitive athletes free of cardiovascular risk factors who present with leg claudication. Arteriography and a papaverine-assisted mean pressure gradient across the iliac arteries of more than 10 mmHg is a useful diagnostic approach. Moreover, balloon angioplasty of the iliac artery in that patient, in whom a pressure gradient was detected, resulted in symptomatic relief for 2 months followed by mild symptom recurrence. Thus, although balloon angioplasty is feasible and safe, it might not be adequate to treat this entity and, thus, its value remains undefined.