Preliminary results of percutaneous transluminal atherectomy.

Percutaneous transluminal atherectomy with the Simpson atherectomy catheter was performed in 5 patients with severe atheromatous stenoses of the femoropopliteal arteries. In all patients plaque material was removed with successful restoration of vessel patency. Further clinical follow-up will have to determine whether recurrence rate of stenosis will be lower with this method than with conventional balloon angioplasty.