Transluminal angioplasty of the iliac and femoral arteries: follow-up results without anticoagulation.

Abstract

With the advent of the angiographic balloon catheter, transluminal angioplasty has become a more effective procedure for the alleviation of symptoms of peripheral ischemia. In the past 2.5 yr this procedure was performed on over 208 iliac and femoral arteries. A total of 120 iliac arteries were dilated. Of these, 86% remained patent at 1 yr and 83% at 2 yr. A total of 88 femoral arteries were dilated. Of these, 75% remained patent at 1 yr and 67% at 2 yr. These vessel survival rates are slightly less than those following surgery. The morbidity from transluminal angioplasty is very low and the mortality is essentially zero.