The mean Eckardt score after 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively, 1.0 ± 1.2, 1.7 ± 1.3, 2.0 ± 1.2 and 2.5 ± 1.3 points; they were significantly lower than before performing balloon angioplasty (p<0.01).