PERCUTANEOUS TRANS-LUMINAL ANGIOPLASTY WITH THE GRUNTZIG BALLOON CATHETER

The results of an ongoing five-year study of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease are presented. A balloon catheter was used for iliac and superficial femoral and popliteal artery dilatation. Forty out of 43 procedures performed were considered to have initial success, with iliac angioplasty showing a greater success rate (96%) than superficial femoral angioplasty (90%). Complications requiring surgical intervention occurred in only 3 patients. Advantages of this technique include local anesthesia, early ambulation, reduced hospital stay, and reproducibility.