Comparison of percutaneous with intra-operative balloon angioplasty for arteriosclerotic occlusive disease.

The purpose of this study was to compare the technical success and short-term outcome of intraoperative balloon angioplasty (IBA) with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in the iliac and femoropopliteal segment. From January 1988 to February 1991, 99 consecutive patients underwent 114 angioplasties in the iliac (37 PTA, 26 IBA) and femoropopliteal segment (15 PTA, 36 IBA). Mean age and sex distributions were similar between the groups. Claudication was the primary indication for both groups. All patients who underwent IBA had another concomitant surgical procedure performed. Immediate technical success for PTA and IBA were 50/52 (96%) and 58/62 (94%), respectively. Cumulative patency up to 12 months following angioplasty of the iliac artery was 94% for PTA and 78% for IBA (P-value NS). For the femoropopliteal segment, 12 month patency results were 100% for PTA and 78% for IBA (P-value NS). Complications requiring surgical intervention occurred in 3 (6%) PTA and 5 (8%) IBA cases. Results from this study indicate that technical success and early patency are similar for PTA and IBA in the iliac and femoropopliteal segments. However angioplasty-related complications were not avoided by performing balloon angioplasty in the operating room.