title: Percutaneous atherectomy--early experience in Sheffield.
abstract: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of arterial stenoses is a well-established and relatively safe technique in the treatment of peripheral and coronary vascular disease. Recurrence, however, remains a problem. The 'atherectomy' catheter is a new device to provide lumen enlargement by the mechanical removal of atheroma. In Sheffield, 14 lesions in the femoral arteries have been treated by atherectomy, with a reduction in mean diameter stenosis from 88% to 15%. There were no complications. Follow-up ranges from 3 to 15 months, with a mean of 9 months. There has been only one recurrence. It can be used in calcified lesions and may prove to be most useful in the treatment of tough lesions. Further experience and follow-up is necessary, however, to determine whether it has any advantage over balloon dilatation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Belli
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Cumberland
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence