Transluminal angioplasty: results in high-risk patients with advanced peripheral vascular disease

The role of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in treating advanced peripheral vascular disease is unknown. The authors therefore reviewed the experience of Sunnybrook Medical Centre in Toronto with 85 consecutive patients who had rest pain, ulceration, pregangrene or gangrene as a result of peripheral vascular disease and who underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Seventy-four percent were smokers and 91% were at increased risk due to one or more of the following: coronary or cerebral ischemic disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity and hypertension. Thirty-six patients underwent dilatation of iliac lesions, 46 of superficial femoral or popliteal and 3 of more distal lesions. In nine patients angioplasty was repeated on the same lesion. In 16 patients, the procedure was technically unsatisfactory. The morbidity and 30-day mortality were 5% and 2%, respectively. When the procedure was technically satisfactory, surgery was avoided and the limb was salvaged at 1, 2 and 5 years in 69%, 62% and 54% of cases, respectively (life-table analysis). The authors conclude that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is acceptable treatment for patients with advanced peripheral vascular disease, because the morbidity and mortality are low and the long-term results are good.