[Prognostic criteria for initial success in PTA and catheter thrombolysis]

The preliminary results of 1063 percutaneous dilatations (PTA) of iliac or femoropopliteal arteries were evaluated in order to establish pre-existing clinical or morphological criteria with possible influence on the early success rate. Early failure was defined as the impossibility to eliminate the arterial occlusion or re-occlusion within 48 hours. Regarding the clinical criteria the combination of long duration and advanced stage of the disease unfavourably influenced the primary success rate (failure rate of 40%). Morphological factors such as length of occlusion over 10 cm, poor run-off or existence of large arterio-venous shunts had an even worse influence on the early success rate (failure rate of 50-60%).