Introduction

A number of specialists, including radiologists and vascular surgeons, incorporate angioplasty and stenting in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. The advent of percutaneous endovascular intervention has allowed the successful treatment of patients who are at high risk for classic surgical intervention. Peripheral vascular disease is detected by: intermittent claudication or resting leg pain, acute ischemia with blue toe syndrome, impotency, severe hypertension or hypertension associated with worsening renal function, transient cerebral ischemia, recent stroke, or subclavian steal symptomatology. Atherosclerotic disease is ubiquitous, and in patients with peripheral vascular disease, nearly half will have concomitant coronary disease. Although careful clinical examination and non- invasive assessment will permit an initial evaluation of a patient with peripheral vascular disease, angiography is necessary. Angioplasty and stenting have demonstrated important benefits in treatment of peripheral vascular disease. In comparison to coronary angioplasty, the success rate of angioplasty in the peripheral arteries is higher due to the larger size of the vessels.