Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of outpatient percutan
eous endovascular intervention in the treatment of arterial occlusive
disease. Methods: The records of 134 patients who underwent 151 outpat
ient endovascular procedures between 1992 and 1997 were reviewed retro
spectively. According to established protocol, focal lower limb (n = 1
45) and subclavian (n = 6) arterial lesions requiring relatively strai
ghtforward endoluminal interventions were appropriate for outpatient m
anagement provided the patients were free of significant comorbidities
. A percutaneous transfemoral approach was used for lower limb lesions
, while subclavian angioplasty was performed via a brachial access. He
parin anticoagulation was administered conservatively. Patients were d
ischarged 3 hours after sheath removal. Results: The majority (98%) of
patients were discharged as planned. Three (2%) patients were observe
d overnight in the hospital for treatment of acute iliac artery thromb
osis, puncture-site bleeding, and suboptimal angioplasty. No patient r
equired hospitalization following discharge. Periprocedural morbidity
was confined to 2 (1.5%) groin hematomas and 1 (0.7%) femoral pseudoan
eurysm. Conclusions: Outpatient endovascular intervention appears safe
; however, proper case selection and technical excellence are insepara
ble components for the success of this strategy.