In a patient who has chronic, complete occlusion of a common iliac artery, which of the following are true?

B. Symptoms are usually claudication of the thigh and calf

D. Collateral iliac arterial vessels are prevalent.

E. Balloon angioplasty is appropriate in some patients.

DISCUSSION: Occlusion of the common iliac artery is usually associated with claudication of the thigh and calf. Arteriography should be done to establish the diagnosis and to assess the peripheral arterial system. Arteriography is also quite helpful in deciding whether or not balloon angioplasty is indicated, since it can be used successfully in some patients. Collateral vessels are usually apparent on the arteriogram. Bilateral involvement of the iliac vessels is quite common, and if symptoms are not present at the outset they may develop later. The preferred surgical management is bypass grafts from the aorta to the patent distal circulation.