FIRST CASE OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL ANGIOPLASTY

　　Performed January 16, 1964

An 83 year old lady, bedridden for months with a cold, painful left leg, was admitted for amputation due to progressive gangrene. A poor run-off arteriogram and the patient's general condition were thought to contraindicate reconstructive surgery.

After diagnostic angiography revealed a tight stenosis of the distal superficial artery, a coaxial catheter system consisting of a tapered 8 Fr and 12 Fr Teflon catheters was used to dilate the stenotic area. There was significant resistance to catheter dilation and the stenosis opened well.

Follow-up angiograms and pressure measurements three and four weeks after angioplasty showed a well opened vessel with good distal perfusion.

The gangrene healed. The patient lived for 2 1/2 years without significant ischemia in her leg and died of coronary heart disease.