LYSIS-ASSISTED ANGIOPLASTY IN THE TREATMENT OF LOWER-LIMB ARTERIAL THROMBOSIS

This study examined the results in 30 patients treated with lysis-assi sted angioplasty and compared them with the results of 30 patients wit h simple stenotic disease treated by angioplasty alone. One patient di ed on the day of treatment with lysis-assisted angioplasty from arteri al perforation and haemorrhage. Of the remaining 29 patients 16 (55 pe r cent) were symptomatically improved and 13 had early reocclusion. Si x patients developed major complications (two deaths, two major haemor rhage, two cerebrovascular accident). The late results were comparable to those for patients undergoing angioplasty alone. The best outcome was obtained in patients with proximal disease (P<0.01); poor run-off or critical ischaemia did not preclude a good outcome.