PERCUTANEOUS ANGIOSCOPY AND ANGIOPLASTY IN THE TREATMENT OF ARTERIOPATHIES IN THE LEGS

Since 1987, the authors have routinely combined angioscopy with angiop lasty of peripheral arteries. In a series of 251 angioplasties carried out in 191 patients, angioscopy was found to be more specific and mor e sensitive than arterial angiography in the etiological diagnosis of arterial stenoses and/or obstructions. Angioscopic findings modified t he angioplasty procedure in 29 % of cases. Using an inflatable cathete r remains the most commonly used approach (230 cases) : in 10 cases, t his was preceded by thromboaspiration and in 4 cases by dotterization. Angioscopic support was useful in carrying out difficult manoeuvres ( monitoring of the angioplasty in 4 cases, correct orientation of the g uide into the lumen in 14 cases, installation of an endoprosthesis in 9 cases, arterial biopsy in 5 cases and sampling of an atheroma in 8 c ases).