Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty: An Angiographer's Viewpoint

We outline the present role of angioplasty in the management of peripheral vascular disease and its application to other portions of the arterial and venous systems; we summarize several large series, including our own, which encompass more than 4,000 cases; and we discuss the pathophysiology of balloon dilation techniques and the criteria for patient selection. With appropriate patient selection, initial (90%) and long-term (85%) patency results are now comparable with surgical techniques when the iliac arteries are involved. Treatment of femoropopliteal disease is slightly less successful but is indicated in appropriate patients. We present the role of angioplasty in conjunction with grafting procedures and in the management of renal vascular hypertension, and we review the potential complications (2% to 3%), adjunctive medical management, and areas for further investigation.