[Iliac PTA: long-term results and current prospects]. / PTA iliaca: risultati a distanza e prospettive attuali.

The authors outline their experience with reference to the treatment of segmentary lesions at the level of the iliac artery. They analyse a series of 93 patients undergoing PTA. In 85 cases it was possible to conclude the procedure: 4 patients presented a small occlusion and 81 stenosis which was associated with femoro-popliteal occlusion in 35 cases. The authors analyse the results using life tables and show that treatment is optimal for the common iliac artery whereas the percentage of restenosis increases parallel to progress in a distal direction. In conclusion, the authors affirm that the procedure is safe and in order to improve results, above all at the level of the external iliac artery, il will probably be necessary in the future to use additional endovascular techniques such asm for example, the systematic use of stent.

[Acute thrombosis of the lower limbs: choice of treatment?]. / Trombosi acuta degli arti inferiori: quale scelta terapeutica?

The paper reports the Authors' experience of treating acute thrombotic-type ischemia of the lower limbs. It analyses the results obtained in 105 patients treated either using vascular reconstruction, loco-regional fibrinolytic therapy, or simple thrombectomy. Statistical analysis reveals a marked difference between reconstructive surgery and simple thrombectomy, whereas fibrinolysis was found to be a useful but limited method used only in patients with pallid ischemia and in circulatory compensation. In conclusion, the Authors sustain that an aggressive-type approach is currently the most reliable method to be used in all cases in which the patient's general and local conditions permit.

[Effects of fibrinolytic therapy in acute ischemia of the lower limbs]. / Contributo sugli effetti della terapia fibrinolitica nell'ischemia acuta degli arti inferiori.

In this paper the Authors illustrate their experience of loco-regional fibrinolytic medical treatment in patients suffering from acute thrombotic-type ischemia of the lower limbs. The clinical, ultrasonographic and angiographic criteria leading to the choice of this form of treatment rather than surgery are examined. The Authors outline the reasons which led them to give preference to the use of plasminogen tissue activators (rt-PA) rather than other fibrinolytic agents; the results obtained are evaluated not only in terms of immediate permeability but also in relation to the additional procedures required to ensure a correct therapeutic iter. In conclusion, the paper underlines the need to assess the indications for this type of therapy with great care since "washing" the distal vascular bed may be decisive for successful treatment even in the event of possible future surgery.

[Aneurysms of the superficial femoral artery at the rupture stage. Apropos 2 personal cases]. / Gli aneurismi dell'arteria femorale superficiale in fase di rottura. A proposito di due osservazioni personali.

The paper reports two case of aneurysms of the surface femoral artery during the rupturing stage. Preoperative clinical data are described together with intraoperative angiographic examinations. These led to the choice of different surgical techniques in the two patients, thus enabling their limbs to be saved. In addition, it is extremely important to carry out an echographic control of all areas which are most likely to be affected by aneurysmatic degeneration in subjects with both obstructive and dilatative arteriopathies in order to avoid emergency surgery.