[Transluminal angioplasty in ambulatory care]

The authors report their experience of 143 transluminal angioplasties performed over a three-year period on outpatients. Retrospective analysis of this case study did not demonstrate any late complications, and the only immediate complication (thrombosis at the arterial puncture) was treated surgically, a few days later, with thromboarterectomy. Of the 121 patients who underwent dilatation, 116 reached their home 6-8 hours after treatment; 4 were hospitalised for the following night, and 1 underwent TEA of the iliac artery. The authors conclude that most transluminal angioplasties can be performed on outpatients.