Does the limb swell after revascularisation by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty?

Abstract

To discover if limb swelling occurs after successful revascularisation by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Prospective Study. Vascular Laboratory. Twenty-five patients with occlusive arterial disease of the lower limb revascularised by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty were studied. The ankle/brachial pressure index and foot volumes measured by water displacement plethysmography were measured before and after PTA. The volume of the revascularised limb increased by 2% on the first day postangioplasty (p = 0.009) and 4% on the 7th day (p < 0.001) compared with the contralateral leg. Leg swelling is a consequence of revascularisation of the ischaemic limb and occurs in the absence of damage to the lymphatic drainage of the limb.