[Complications of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty]

Four hundred twenty-three percutaneous transluminal angioplasties with 383 percutaneous arterial punctures in 346 patients were reviewed to determine the frequency, distribution and causes of complications. Complications were seen at the angioplasty site and puncture site along with miscellaneous complications, the incidence rates being 9.5% (40 of 423 PTAs), 11.7% (45 of 383 punctures), and 2.0% (7 of 346 patients), respectively. Major complications occurred in 20 cases, and surgical procedures were required in six cases. Mortality as a complication of PTA was not seen. Angioplasty site complications included 13 spasms, eight dissections, five thromboses, 13 distal embolizations and one perforation. Most puncture site complications were benign hematomas, but there were other types such as a pseudoaneurysm requiring bypass grafting, a thrombosis requiring thrombolysis and a large quantity of bleeding requiring transfusion. The incidence of angioplasty site complications was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the procedure for complete occlusion than that for stenosis. The puncture site and miscellaneous complications were also more frequent in complete occlusions. The incidence of complications increased with age, although this tendency did not reach statistical significance.