A Case Report of Duplex-Guided Femoral Angioplasty in a Patient with Severe Renal Insufficiency Still an Option to Consider

1.1   Introduction One of the main concern of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the risk of renal injury in nephropathic patients. A valid alternative is represented by CO2 angiography, which is however contraindicated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is not always available in hospitals. In these cases, the role of duplex guided balloon angioplasty (Du-PTA) should be reassessed.   1.2   Case presentation  We describe the case of a 75 years-old nephropathic Caucasian male patient who underwent a duplex-guided percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (Du-PTA) for a 10-cm occlusion of his right femoral superficial artery causing rest pain. A review of the literature about the use of duplex ultrasound for the endovascular treatment of infrainguinal vascular disease in selected high-risk nephropathic patients was also performed.   1.3   Conclusion In well selected patients who present with critical limb ischemia and are at high risk for contrast-induced nephropathy, and when CO2 angiography cannot be performed, Du-PTA of femoral-popliteal district can still be a safe and effective alternative to conventional PTA and should be taken into account.