Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of arteriosclerotic lesions in the pelvis and lower extremities.

The experience of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in 66 patients (71 stenoses) with arteriosclerotic lesions in the pelvic and lower extremity arteries is reported. The PTA was technically successful in 70 stenoses. Complications were seen in eleven patients. The follow-up time was 19 months (2-44). The frequency of recurrencies was clearly related to the location of stenosis, the more distal the lesion the higher the recurrency rate. The immediate roentgenologic result had no prognostic value to protect recurrencies. To conclude PTA is an alternative to surgery in patients with short stenoses in the iliac arteries, but very strict indications should be used when lesions are localized below the inguinal ligament.