Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for lower extremity arterial insufficiency

Short term results of treatment with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for lower extremity arterial insufficiency are presented. During a two year period 54 PTA were attempted and 43 were successful. 42 patients were either free of symptoms or had objectively reduced ischemic symptoms and remained so during the follow-up period (mean 10.5 months). Successfully repeated PTA were performed in three patients for the management of occlusions within an arterial segment earlier dilatated. Reasons for unsuccessful PTA were mainly difficulties in passing the stenosis/occlusion with the guide wire or that dilation could not be completed because of extensive calcification in the arterial wall. The only complication requiring treatment was a bleeding from a puncture site in the femoral artery. PTA treatment of lower extremity arterial insufficiency is for many patients a good alternative or complement to reconstructive vascular surgery and a method that should be used to a greater extent in vascular surgery centers.