Five years of peripheral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty : the St Luke鈥檚 Hospital experience

Abstract

This article reviews the first series of 54 cases of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty on the peripheral vasculature performed at the Radiological/Surgical Department at St. Luke鈥檚 Hospital, Malta, over a five year period. After describing in detail the technique used, the indications and the objective criteria utilised for assessment are reviewed and analysed. The two year patency rate for femoro-popliteal and iliac stenoses was 93% and 86% respectively, while for corresponding occlusions, the figures were 42% and 0% respectively. Thus, while the results were very encouraging for femoro-popliteal stenoses and occlusions, they were unacceptable for iliac occlusions. As expected the major risk factors were smoking, diabetes mellitus and associated ischaemic heart or cerebrovascular disease. This series had no mortality and there was minimal morbidity, mainly at the site of arterial access. Elective surgery for iliac re-stenosis was only required in one patient.