Percutaneous Angioplasty for Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

Abstract

• We reviewed 142 percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTAs) in the iliac (n = 94) and femoropopliteal (n = 48) positions of 107 patients. Emphasis was placed on the ultimate clinical outcome, which was determined from a pool of clinical, hemodynamic, and angiographic data. Limb-threatening ischemia was the indication for intervention in 53% of the cases. The median follow-up interval was 17 months. Overall success was achieved in 50% of cases in both iliac and femoral positions at one year after PTA. The following factors were found to correlate with a successful clinical outcome: (1) PTA for claudication vs limb-threatening ischemia (P<.001); (2) focal as opposed to diffuse stenosis or occlusion (P<.02); (3) immediate return of distal pulses (P<.001); (4) the absence of diabetes (P<.05); and (5) the presence of a patent outflow tract (P<.001). Treatment results with PTA will vary widely according to the nature of the patient population and the criteria for determining success. (Arch Surg 1987;122:283-287)