Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the lower abdominal aorta.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the lower abdominal aorta was performed in 14 patients aged 29-66 years (mean, 50). The disease was largely isolated to the distal aorta in this group. There were 13 women and 1 man; all were heavy smokers. Initial success, defined as improved or subsided clinical symptoms, improved ankle/arm indices, and improved angiogram, was achieved in all but one patient who thrombosed at the puncture site. At a mean follow-up period of 16 months (range, 1-58), a persistent beneficial effect was maintained in all patients. These results suggest that PTA is a safe alternative to surgery in patients with signs and symptoms of aortoiliac disease secondary to a significant but short stenotic segment of the lower abdominal aorta.