Initial results of peripheral vascular angioplasty performed by experienced interventional cardiologists

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has become the procedure of choice for the treatment of selected patients with peripheral vascular occlusive disease. Since its first description in 1964, 1 and the development of inflatable balloon catheters to dilate lesions in 1974, 2 the technique has gained wide acceptance and been performed primarily by interventional radiologists. However, nonradiologists including cardiologists, and vascular surgeons and internists who are primarily involved in the care and treatment of patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease have begun to perform this procedure. This has generated debate regarding the necessary qualifications for certification and credentialing of physicians to perform peripheral angioplasty. Recently, suggestions for training standards were published in an attempt to ensure that high-quality peripheral angioplasty is practiced. 3,4 This study reports the immediate procedural outcomes of a consecutive series of patients treated with percutaneous techniques, which represent the initial peripheral angioplasty results of experienced interventional cardiologists working in collaboration with vascular surgeons.