Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the distal abdominal aorta and its bifurcation.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of stenotic lesions in the distal abdominal aorta and its bifurcation was performed in 14 patients, 6 of whom were women. The stenotic segment in the aorta or aortic bifurcation was usually the only significant lesion. The double-balloon technique was used in 12 patients via bilateral femoral artery catheterizations. In 2 other patients with aortic lesions, a single large balloon sufficed. Good results were achieved in all but 1 patient, with minor complications occurring in 3 instances. The follow-up period varied from 6 months to 5 years. We believe that PTA is the procedure of choice in treating localized lesions of the distal abdominal aorta and its bifurcation, especially when distal vessels are relatively uninvolved.