Balloon dilation of arteries, known as transluminal angioplasty, is with us today whether we like it or not. A number of reports from this country and abroad attest to its acceptability. Rates of late patency are good, and relief of symptomatic lower-limb ischemia can be achieved.1-7 Visceral and coronary arteries have also been treated by this method.8-10 A fundamental question remains: How does this procedure complement vascular surgery in care of patients with arterial occlusive disease?
In this symposium, the experience of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, is referred to by Drs Roberts, Gertner, and Ring, who focus on the application of balloon-catheter dilation as an adjunct to arterial surgery. They point out that this technique aids in preoperative preparation of patients and in treatment of postoperative complications of direct arterial reconstruction.
An innovative application of transluminal angioplasty is described from the Washington Vascular Clinic