Does the limb swell after revascularisation by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty?
OBJECTIVE
To discover if limb swelling occurs after successful revascularisation by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).


METHODS
Prospective Study.


METHODS
Vascular Laboratory.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with occlusive arterial disease of the lower limb revascularised by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty were studied.


METHODS
The ankle/brachial pressure index and foot volumes measured by water displacement plethysmography were measured before and after PTA.


RESULTS
The volume of the revascularised limb increased by 2% on the first day postangioplasty (p = 0.009) and 4% on the 7th day (p < 0.001) compared with the contralateral leg.


CONCLUSIONS
Leg swelling is a consequence of revascularisation of the ischaemic limb and occurs in the absence of damage to the lymphatic drainage of the limb.
Payne
S P
SP
Nuffield Dept of Surgery, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, U.K.
Jones
K
K
Painter
D
D
Galland
R B
RB
Collin
J
J
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000628:therapy*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010991:Plethysmography / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies