[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty following bypass operations on the lower extremities]

To prevent bypass thrombosis, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed on 32 stenoses in 25 patients following vascular surgery. Seventeen patients showed 23 stenoses at the level of the anastomoses or in the bypass itself; 8 patients exhibited 9 stenoses proximal or distal to the bypass. Twenty-two patients underwent successful PTA and showed an increase in the ankle/arm Doppler index from 0.38 +/- 0.13 to 0.76 +/- 0.11 after PTA. The long-term patency rates at 6, 12 and 24 months were 75%, 57% and 39%, respectively. The reason for three unsuccessful PTAs are discussed.