Percutaneous transluminal dilatation and recanalization in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Ninety-four successful transluminal angioplasties were followed up for as long as 15 months, during which time 15 failures occurred. Life-table analysis of this series gave a cumulative patency rate of 64%. The patency rate of 70% for iliac lesions, compared to 50% for the femoral-popliteal group, suggests that the former are likely to have a better long-term prognosis. In selected cases, transluminal angioplasty is a viable alternative to surgery that should be available to both patient and physician.