[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in chronic arteriopathies of the lower limbs. Immediate anatomo-radiological results and functional outcome].

The immediate anatomo-radiological results and functional outcome of a continuous series of 100 percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTA) in patients with chronic obliterative arterial disease of the lower limbs are reported. In 8 out of 10 cases, the patients had no previous surgical history. The iliac axis was more commonly affected than the infracrural arteries (57% compared to 43%). The indication of choice was the Leriche stage II (73%). The arterial lesion was responsible for the ischaemic pathology in 2 out of 3 cases. There was a higher incidence of preocclusive lesions (46%) than thromboses to be recanalised (23%) or significant stenoses (23%). The anatomo-radiological results were satisfactory in 80% of cases: a normal calibre was restored in 31% and stenosis was reduced to non-significant levels in 49% of cases. The morbidity associated with this technique was 7%: inability to dilate or thrombosis of the vessel. In 7 cases, failure was due to inability to pass the catheter across the stenotic lesion. Complementary surgical treatment was carried out on "accessory" arterial lesions in 33 cases; 32 sympathectomies for distal lower limb lesions and I femoro-popliteal bypass after iliac PTA. A total of 86.6% of PTA were followed up for an average of 22 months; 72% were totally asymptomatic; 21 were classified as stage II with improvement of their walking limits. The 3 year success rate was 0.92 +/- 0.1. Arterial surgery was necessary in 5.6% of cases for persistent severe intermittent claudication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)