[Treatment with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the popliteal and crural arteries].
BACKGROUND
The role and benefit of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for treatment of arteriosclerotic lesions in the crural arteries has been controversial. The purpose of this study was to review our experience.


METHODS
88 patients were treated with PTA for stenoses and/or occlusions of the popliteal or crural arteries. The indications were disabling claudication in 23, acute ischaemia in 6, and chronic critical ischaemia in 59. Mean age was 75 (46-99), with 32 patients above 80 years of age. The majority had PTA of multiple lesions. Crural arteries were treated in 54 patients (61 %).


RESULTS
Technical success was obtained in 111 out of 127 procedures (87%). In patients with claudication there was a clinical success rate of 90%. In chronic critical ischaemia, 30 of 43 treated extremities were preserved after 12 months (70%). Major complications were seen in 3 out of 127 procedures (2.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Technically successful PTA is possible in the majority of patients, with few complications. Clinical success can be achieved in patients with high age and advanced arteriosclerosis. Patient selection and cooperation between the vascular surgeon and the radiologist is crucial. :
Enge
Ivar
I
Radiologisk avdeling, Sykehuset Innlandet Lillehammer, 2629 Lillehammer. iv-enge@online.no
Edenberg
Jan
J
Stuland
Tor
T
D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000628:therapy; D007511:Ischemia / Q000628:therapy; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D016909:Tibial Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016896:Treatment Outcome