[Immediate results and 2-year follow-up of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in intermittent claudication in patients over 70 years of age].
OBJECTIVE
This retrospective study was aimed at assessing immediate and mid-term results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for intermittent claudication in patients over 70 years of age, and the overall morbidity and mortality during follow-up.


METHODS
Fifty-one percutaneous transluminal angioplasties were performed between 1993 and 1997 in 30 men and eight women (mean age: 78 +/- 5.2; range 71-91) for intermittent claudication (walking distance < 250 m).


RESULTS
Angioplasties were supra-inguinal in 24 cases (47%) and infra-inguinal in 27 cases (53%). Clinical success (walking distance > 500 m) was obtained in 92% of the patients. Significant complications (5.9%) were inguinal hematoma requiring subsequent surgery in one patient and common femoral false aneurysms in two patients. Mean duration of hospitalization was 3 days and a half. After a mean follow-up of 25 months (range: 4-51 months), improvement in the walking distance was still present in 31 patients (82%). The condition of seven (18%) patients did not improve. No patient presented with critical ischemia. As well, no patient underwent surgical revascularization or amputation. However, the condition of eight (21%) patients required subsequent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Four (10.5%) patients died. Following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, six (18%) patients presented with a major non-fatal clinical event. All the patients lived at home.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has little immediate risk when lesions are accessible and leads to positive mid-term clinical results in the treatment of intermittent claudication in patients over 70 years of age.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome