Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the aorta and iliac vessels

During the past 7 1/2 years, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has been utilized to treat 183 patients with 324 lesions in the aorta and iliac vessels. Eighty-three lesions were located in the area of the aortic bifurcation. Five lesions were in the lower abdominal aorta. The remainder of the lesions were in the iliac vessels. The patients ranged in age from 32 to 84 years (mean, 60 years). Dilation was initially successful in 95.1% of patients and 95.7% of lesions. The patients have been followed up for 1 month to 5 1/2 years. All have been followed up clinically, and pressures have been measured by plethysmography and Doppler US in 106 patients. Angiographic follow-up studies have been performed in 31 patients. To date, restenoses have occurred in 18 lesions