Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and case selection.

The application of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the treatment of arteriosclerotic occlusive disease is relatively new in the United States. To ascertain more data on case selection, procedure, and success rate, the authors evaluated 100 consecutive patients as possible candidates for treatment with PTA. Patients were divided into five groups on the basis of procedural acceptability. PTA was indicated for 71% of the patients. One hundred seventeen arteries were treated in 56 patients, with a primary success rate of 91.5% of the arteries (82% of the patients). This success rate indicates that PTA is a potentially effective treatment for patients with arteriosclerotic occlusive disease.