[Nonsurgical recanalization of tibial arteries. Balloon dilatation, local fibrinolysis and aspiration embolectomy].

To date, percutaneous angioplasty has only rarely been employed to recanalize arteries in the lower leg. In almost all such patients, the limb has been at risk of being amputated. Since the introduction of special thin-caliber balloon catheters and concomitant drug therapy to prevent vascular spasms and thromboses, results have been markedly improved. In the case of fresh occlusions, local fibrinolysis with percutaneous aspiration embolectomy is employed.