Spontaneous reversibility of early reobstruction following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

Early reocclusion and late restenosis are well-known problems after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). We report here on a phenomenon not described so far in two patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease who had PTA of the common iliac and the superficial femoral artery, respectively. Both had a good hemodynamic and clinical initial result. However, within two days after PTA symptomatic reobstruction occurred documented by noninvasive measurements. Noteworthy, this reobstruction was spontaneously reversible within days. The possible pathomechanism is discussed.