[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the carotid artery]

This paper presents personal experience of 169 percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTA) and more than 1,000 worldwide published results of angioplasty on supraaortic stenoses especially of the carotid artery. The technique of the angioplastic procedure, essential pretherapeutic diagnostic methods and indications of PTA are described and discussed. Results of published and own experience indicate that PTA is an effective and alternative method to vascular surgery in the treatment of symptomatic carotid artery stenoses. With strict definition of the indication, the complication rate for PTA is not likely to be higher than that for vascular surgical treatment. PTA of carotid artery stenosis should be used exclusively in medical centers in which a cooperation by vascular surgeons, internists, neurologists and interventional radiologists or neuroradiologists comes true.