PERCUTANEOUS REVASCULARIZATION OF LOWER-EXTREMITY ARTERIAL-DISEASE INFEMALES COMPARED TO MALES

The outcome of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of lower ex tremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in females is not well docum ented. Between June 1988 and June 1994, 206 patients underwent 293 PTA procedures for symptomatic PAD. Females (63 patients, 97 PTA procedur es) and males (143 patients, 196 PTA procedures) were analyzed and com pared. Female patients were older than male patients, had lower preval ence of coronary artery disease and were more often hypertensive. Both groups had similar prevalence of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and cigaret te smoking. Success rate in females was 98% versus 96% in males for al l lesions (p = NS), and 96% versus 81% (p < 0.003) for occluded vessel s. Complication rates were low and did not differ significantly betwee n groups, with the exception of the need for blood transfusions (3% ve rsus 0%, p < 0.05, females versus males). At a mean follow-up of 25 +/ - 20 months, 60% of female patients and 77% of male patients claimed s ymptomatic improvement (p < 0.05). There was no gender-related differe nce in the subsequent PTA or bypass surgery. We conclude that PTA appe ars to be an effective treatment modality for symptomatic PAD in femal e patients which can be performed at very low risk.