Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the treatment of critical limb ischemia.

Purpose: To assess the role of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to treat critical limb ischemia (CLI) and to relate the changing experience with endovascular treatment of this condition in a major vascular unit.

Methods: A prospective study was performed involving 110 consecutive patients (57 women; mean age 76 years, range 57-99) undergoing balloon angioplasty for critical limb ischemia in 133 limbs. Outcome at 1 year was examined by case note review or questionnaire to determine survival, amputation-free survival, limb salvage, and CLI recurrence.