title: Transluminal angioplasty of complete iliac obstructions.
abstract: Of 64 complete iliac obstructions, 50 (78%) were recanalized using the Gruntzig balloon catheter. Life-table analysis of the patency rate over a 4-year period gives a cumulative success rate of 78%. Only three of eight obstructions that involved both the common and external iliac arteries were successfully dilated. The only serious complication was distal embolization, which occurred in two cases (3.1%). Although the procedure is difficult, with a relatively low technical success rate, the high cumulative patency rate should make it an option in the treatment of all patients with totally occluded iliac artery segments.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged