Transluminal angioplasty of the iliac and femoral arteries: follow-up results without anticoagulation.

With the advent of the angiographic balloon catheter, transluminal angioplasty has become a more effective procedure for the alleviation of symptoms of peripheral ischemia. In the past two and a half years we have performed this procedure on over 208 iliac and femoral arteries. One hundred twenty iliac arteries were dilated. Of these, 86% remained patent at one year and 83% at two years. Eighty-eight femoral arteries were dilated. Of these, 75% remained patent at one year and 67% at two years. These vessel survival rates are slightly less than those following surgery. However, the morbidity from transluminal angioplasty is very low and the mortality is essentially zero.