Preliminary results of transluminal dilation in the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

The results of our pathologic studies demonstrated that a Grüntzig catheter does not damage arteries in vitro, and our clinical results confirm the observations made by Grüntzig and indicate that this technique has a role in management of certain patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Although long term results are not available, we believe that this technique widens the scope of management for certain patients with peripheral vascular disease but will not replace conservative medical management or surgical treatment. At present, it probably has an intermediate role between the two and replaces neither.