Peripheral vascular disease. Treatment with balloon angioplasty

Peripheral vascular disease imposes daily inconveniences and limitations on many patients. The primary care physician and vascular specialist can work together to alleviate the restrictions of this disorder by prompt recognition, investigation, and therapy. It is no longer necessary to wait until patients are extremely debilitated before offering intervention. Initial success rates of percutaneous transluminal (balloon) angioplasty are very high and increasing, and restenosis rates are acceptable and decreasing. The procedure is economical and has a short convalescent period and low patient risk. Physicians should be aware that underuse of medical technology may be as costly as overuse. In upcoming years, further advances will allow even more patients with peripheral vascular disease to be treated with lesser expense; lower risk; and greater salvage of lives, limbs, and life-styles.