PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL ANGIOPLASTY FOR SEVERE LOWER EXTREMITY ISCHAEMIA

Abstract

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was attempted on 70 occasions in 63 consecutive patients presenting with advanced ischaemia. The procedure was technically successful in 64 (91%) with haemodynamic improvement in 39 (56%) and clinical improvement maintained at 6 months in 51 (73%). Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years and life-table analysis showed 60% success at 1 year and 58% success at 2 years. Overall limb salvage was 76%. Complications occurred in 6 (9%) and in one case this lead to amputation. The relationship of a number of associated factors to outcome was assessed. The presence of cardiac disease requiring treatment for failure or angina was a highly significant adverse factor (P less than 0.001). Decreasing age and greater extent of disease were also significant adverse factors (P less than 0.05). Therefore, because of its low morbidity and cost, PTA can be seen as a useful procedure in patients presenting with advanced peripheral vascular disease.