[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in peripheral arterial occlusive disease]

Non-surgical recanalization of arterial obstructions has gained world wide acceptance since the development of the balloon dilatation catheter by Gruentzig. The indication for this treatment depends on the clinical stage of the disease, on the location and extension of the occlusion and on the general clinical situation of the patient. Ideal situations with excellent short- and long-term results are stenoses of the iliac arteries and stenoses and short occlusions of the femoropopliteal arteries, whereas treatment of long occlusions of this region is less successful. Definite recommendations concerning additional medical therapy to improve the early and longterm patency rate cannot be given because of lacking studies. The most important advantage of PTA--compared to surgical recanalization--is the lower complication rate. A further improvement of early and late results can be expected by the combined use of different non-surgical recanalization procedures.