CLINICAL OUTCOME AND RESTENOSIS FOLLOWING PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL ANGIOPLASTY FOR ISCHEMIC REST PAIN OR ULCERATION

The role of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the management of severe leg ischaemia is controversial. To investigate further the eff icacy of angioplasty and the clinical consequences of restenosis, a ra ndomly selected cohort of 29 patients with ischaemic rest pain or ulce ration was studied for 6 months after a technically successful balloon angioplasty. All patients subtraction arteriography at the end of fol low-up. Seven of 15 patients undergoing the procedure for rest pain ha d sustained relief from the initial dilatation. Partial or complete he aling was noted in all 14 patients with ulceration and was maintained at 6 months in 11 despite significant (greater than 30 per cent) reste nosis at the angioplasty site in eight. There were no complications or clinical deterioration associated with the procedure. Angioplasty is an effective method for treating the severely ischaemic leg, especiall y when used to achieve ulcer healing; restenosis is often clinically u nimportant.