Z. Krajcer et Mh. Howell, Update on endovascular treatment of peripheral vascular disease - New tools, techniques, and indications, TEX HEART I, 27(4), 2000, pp. 369-385
The treatment of peripheral vascular disease is one of the most rapidly exp
anding fields of medicine today. At one time, patients who had peripheral v
ascular disease had few medical or surgical options. Now, however, options
abound. The number of peripheral interventions increased from 90, 000 in 19
94 to more than 200,000 in 1997 and endovascular techniques may soon replac
e up to 50% of traditional vascular operations.
Cardiologists, interventional radiologists, and vascular surgeons bring var
ious types of expertise to endovascular intervention; nonetheless, they see
m to share similar levels of enthusiasm about this treatment option. The ma
ny advantages to the patient that such intervention offers over traditional
surgery, such as the avoidance of anesthesia and other surgical risks, the
rapid recovery time, and the relatively low treatment costs, provide encou
ragement to these specialists.
Endovascular intervention requires dedication on the part of practitioners,
because it demands such complete knowledge of vascular disease and of the
anatomic changes experienced by the patient. The challenge is intensified b
y the continual introduction of new products and methods. We hope, herein,
to offer pertinent information about recent advances in interventional tech
niques and devices, and to provide a framework for future education.